Cementos Argos SA

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Direct Lobbying Transparency

Overall Assessment	Comment	Score
Comprehensive	Cementos Argos SA has demonstrated a comprehensive level of transparency in disclosing its climate lobbying activities. The company has clearly named specific climate policies it has engaged with, such as the 'Law of tax reform' in Colombia, the 'Inflation Reduction Act' in the United States, and the 'Decree adopting provisions for the implementation of Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) technologies.' It has also disclosed its involvement in reviewing and commenting on the 'Second version of the decree adopting provisions for CCUS technologies' and the 'Roadmap for a just energy transition,' among others. These disclosures provide detailed and identifiable information about the policies and regulations the company has lobbied. Cementos Argos has also been transparent about its lobbying mechanisms and targets. The company described its engagement through trade associations such as ANDI, PROCEMCO, and the Portland Cement Association (PCA), specifying activities like reviewing and commenting on policy projects, advocating before Congress, and participating in working groups. For example, it worked with PROCEMCO to engage with the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development and the Ministry of Housing to promote waste co-processing. Additionally, the PCA defended the cement industry's decarbonization efforts before a Senate Environment and Public Works audience and opposed an amendment in the U.S. House of Representatives. These disclosures provide detailed information about both the mechanisms and the specific policymaking targets involved. Furthermore, Cementos Argos has been transparent about the specific outcomes it seeks through its lobbying efforts. For instance, the company has advocated for the adoption of the CSI's Cement CO2 and Energy Protocol as the standard for mandatory carbon reporting in Colombia and the Dominican Republic. It has also supported the establishment of a CO2 Report and Verification Mechanism in Colombia and proposed economic instruments like emissions trading systems to reduce CO2 emissions effectively. Additionally, it has promoted waste co-processing as a climate change mitigation strategy and circular economy solution, and it has participated in the GCCA's Low Carbon Procurement Task Group to develop frameworks for low-carbon cement and concrete procurement. These disclosures clearly outline the desired policy changes and environmental goals the company is pursuing, demonstrating a high level of transparency in its climate lobbying activities.	4

Lobbying Governance

Overall Assessment	Comment	Score
Comprehensive	Argos demonstrates a comprehensive governance process for climate lobbying alignment, encompassing both direct and indirect lobbying activities. The company has disclosed a detailed review of its trade association memberships and their alignment with climate goals, stating that "the associations assessed are the most significant for our industry and in the countries where we operated in 2023." These organizations were evaluated based on their public positions, media releases, publications, and social media, with additional discussions involving employees who maintain relationships with the trade associations. Furthermore, the Corporate Affairs Vice President is explicitly identified as responsible for "approving the engagement, monitoring the progress, and approving the results," ensuring accountability and oversight. Argos has outlined eight specific factors to assess trade association alignment with its climate goals, including support for the Paris Agreement, promotion of low-carbon products, investment in decarbonization technologies, and advocacy for carbon pricing mechanisms. The company also actively participates in climate-related advocacy through various trade associations, such as ANDI, PROCEMCO, PCA, and GCCA, contributing to policy development and promoting initiatives like waste co-processing and low-carbon procurement frameworks. For example, Argos worked with PROCEMCO to engage with government ministries to advance waste co-processing as a climate mitigation strategy and participated in GCCA's Low Carbon Procurement Task Group to define low-carbon cement and concrete standards. Additionally, Argos has disclosed its Climate Action program and metrics publicly, which serve as benchmarks for evaluating the alignment of its lobbying activities and trade association memberships. The company emphasizes transparency and accountability, stating that "these declarations and pledges help us understand the steps to be taken and set the standards for measuring how well the trade associations and lobbying activities that we participate in match our goals." This indicates a robust governance framework that integrates monitoring mechanisms, alignment policies, and clear accountability structures, ensuring that its lobbying efforts are consistent with its climate commitments.	4