BT Group PLC – Lobbying Governance & Transparency

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Lobbying Governance

Overall Assessment	Analysis	Score
Moderate	BT Group PLC demonstrates a moderate level of governance in its lobbying activities, particularly in relation to climate change. The company states that it actively engages directly on key policy areas and indirectly through association memberships, such as the Digital Connectivity Forum (DCF) Climate and Sustainability Work Group, which aims to accelerate pathways towards net zero through collaboration and expert recommendations to policymakers. BT Group also highlights its commitment to science-aligned climate policy engagement consistent with the Paris Agreement goals, stating, "We believe that businesses have a responsibility to advocate for climate action." Governance of its climate-related activities is overseen by the Responsible Business Committee (RBC), chaired by a non-executive director, which monitors progress on long-term responsible business goals, including climate change. Additionally, the Executive Committee (ExCo) sets operational strategy on climate change and sustainability and monitors associated progress and risks, supported by the Responsible Business team. However, while the company mentions centralized coordination of political engagements and oversight by the Disclosure Committee, there is limited evidence of a specific process for monitoring or managing the alignment of lobbying activities with climate goals. Furthermore, while BT Group works with industry associations and policymakers to advocate for supportive policies, there is no explicit disclosure of actions taken to address misalignment or exit associations that conflict with its climate policy. This indicates some governance mechanisms are in place, but the processes for ensuring alignment of lobbying activities with climate commitments are not comprehensively detailed. View Sources	C

Overall Assessment

Analysis

Score

Moderate

BT Group PLC demonstrates a moderate level of governance in its lobbying activities, particularly in relation to climate change. The company states that it actively engages directly on key policy areas and indirectly through association memberships, such as the Digital Connectivity Forum (DCF) Climate and Sustainability Work Group, which aims to accelerate pathways towards net zero through collaboration and expert recommendations to policymakers. BT Group also highlights its commitment to science-aligned climate policy engagement consistent with the Paris Agreement goals, stating, "We believe that businesses have a responsibility to advocate for climate action." Governance of its climate-related activities is overseen by the Responsible Business Committee (RBC), chaired by a non-executive director, which monitors progress on long-term responsible business goals, including climate change. Additionally, the Executive Committee (ExCo) sets operational strategy on climate change and sustainability and monitors associated progress and risks, supported by the Responsible Business team. However, while the company mentions centralized coordination of political engagements and oversight by the Disclosure Committee, there is limited evidence of a specific process for monitoring or managing the alignment of lobbying activities with climate goals. Furthermore, while BT Group works with industry associations and policymakers to advocate for supportive policies, there is no explicit disclosure of actions taken to address misalignment or exit associations that conflict with its climate policy. This indicates some governance mechanisms are in place, but the processes for ensuring alignment of lobbying activities with climate commitments are not comprehensively detailed.

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Lobbying Transparency

Overall Assessment	Analysis	Score
Comprehensive	BT Group demonstrates a high level of transparency around its climate-related lobbying. It names several identifiable policies it has engaged on, including the UK Zero Emissions Vehicle Mandate, the Government’s Review of Electricity Market Arrangements (REMA), and reforms to the Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin (REGO) scheme, as well as wider electrification measures promoted through the UK Electric Fleets Coalition. The company also sets out the channels it uses and who it targets: it submits consultation responses to the UK Government and departments such as BEIS and the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles, partners with The Climate Group to run the Electric Fleets Coalition, and chairs industry committees that provide input to UNFCCC and ICC forums. These disclosures go beyond general statements by explaining concrete mechanisms such as formal consultation submissions, coalition policy papers and direct discussions with named agencies. Finally, BT is explicit about what it wants those engagements to achieve, seeking 100 % electric car and van sales by 2030, extension of grants and charging-point funding, an increased end-user limit for plug-in van grants, and “reform of the UK’s REGO certification scheme to deliver grid decarbonisation by 2030.” Its stated aim is to “positively influence the economics of EVs to increase wide-scale adoption” and ensure action that “delivers real-world emission reductions.” The combination of clearly identified policies, detailed mechanisms with specified targets, and concrete desired outcomes indicates comprehensive disclosure of its climate lobbying activities.	A