Sonoco Products Co

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Direct Lobbying Transparency

Overall Assessment	Comment	Score
Strong	Sonoco Products Co demonstrates a strong level of transparency in its climate lobbying by clearly naming the specific policies it engages on, the mechanisms it employs, and the outcomes it pursues. It has lobbied distinct measures such as California’s source reduction requirements for plastic packaging, the EPA’s Clean Air Act permitting requirements for greenhouse gases (urging that “biogenic CO2 is not subject to the regulation”), and the continuation of biomass carbon neutrality in the federal omnibus spending bill through September 30, 2023. The company describes how it lobbies—stating that it “support[ed] AF&PA efforts with the US Congress to maintain carbon neutrality of biomass as a fuel” and that it “support[s] efforts to engage with US EPA through participation in meetings with AF&PA”—thereby identifying both its methods and its targets. Sonoco also articulates the specific outcomes it seeks, including advocating for “increased use of recycled content,” calling for the deregulation of biogenic CO2 emissions (“Biogenic CO2 Emissions Should Be Deregulated”), and working to “protect carbon neutrality of biomass,” demonstrating clear rationale behind each engagement.	3

Lobbying Governance

Overall Assessment	Comment	Score
Limited	Sonoco Products discloses only minimal information on how it governs climate-related external engagement, stating that “The Sustainability Council has representatives from all major business units. They are aware of and support Sonoco's climate change commitments.” This indicates that a designated internal body exists and is expected to oversee whether external engagement activities align with the company’s climate commitments, which suggests some level of oversight; however, the disclosure stops short of explaining any specific procedures, monitoring mechanisms, or review frequency, and it does not clarify whether the Council covers direct lobbying, indirect lobbying through trade associations, or how misalignments would be addressed. No individual accountability, detailed alignment process, or publicly available review of lobbying positions is provided. Consequently, while the reference to the Sustainability Council shows limited governance, the company does not disclose a fuller process for managing or auditing its climate lobbying activities.	1