Direct Lobbying Transparency
| Overall Assessment | Comment | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Comprehensive | Severn Trent PLC offers a very detailed picture of its climate-policy advocacy. It names a wide range of identifiable measures it has engaged on, including the UK Government’s “Storm Overflow Discharge Reduction Plan”, the “Environment Act 2021 Targets” consultation, Ofwat consultations on “Process Emissions – GHG Reporting”, the “Electricity Generation Levy”, electric-vehicle charging schemes overseen by the Office for Low Emission Vehicles, and policy proposals such as “accelerate PR24 investment to improve the health of rivers” and “change incentives for farmers: pay for ecosystem services, not pollution.” The company also explains how it tries to influence these measures, citing a spectrum of direct and indirect mechanisms – for example submissions to the Environmental Audit Committee, “meetings with the Treasury” and other ministers, responses to Ofwat and Defra consultations, the CEO’s seat on the Government’s Net Zero Council, and collaboration with industry bodies and NGOs. Targets of these efforts are clearly identified, spanning Ofwat, Defra, OLEV, local MPs, and parliamentary committees. Finally, Severn Trent is explicit about the outcomes it is pursuing: it advocates “changes to building regulations to promote water efficiency”, the introduction of mandatory water-efficiency labelling, retrofitting Sustainable Drainage Systems, tighter limits on storm-overflow events (e.g. a maximum of ten per year by 2050 and a 75 % cut in ‘High Priority’ areas by 2035), an 80 % reduction in phosphorous loadings by 2037, expanded emissions-reporting requirements, stable incentives for renewables, and government grants to accelerate electrification of its fleet. By disclosing concrete policy targets, the mechanisms it employs, and the specific legislative and regulatory instruments in question, the company demonstrates a comprehensive level of transparency around its climate lobbying activities. | 4 |