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| Overall Assessment |
Comment |
Score |
| Comprehensive |
SSE PLC has demonstrated a comprehensive level of transparency in disclosing its climate lobbying activities. The company has explicitly named specific climate policies and legislative areas it has engaged with, such as the UK Government's Review of Electricity Market Arrangements (REMA), the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, and the Offshore Renewable Energy Support Scheme (ORESS 2.1). SSE also references its advocacy for amendments to the Warmer Homes Scheme and its engagement with the UK Government's Cluster Sequencing Process for carbon capture and storage (CCUS). These disclosures provide clear details about the policies and legislative frameworks SSE is influencing. Additionally, SSE has been transparent about its lobbying mechanisms, detailing its direct engagements with policymakers, such as meetings with the UK Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for BEIS, as well as its participation in consultations and trade associations like Renewable UK and Hydrogen UK. The company identifies specific targets of its lobbying efforts, including the UK Government, the Scottish Government, and the European Commission. Furthermore, SSE has clearly articulated the outcomes it seeks, such as achieving 7-9GW of carbon capture power stations and up to 8GW of hydrogen-fired peaking power stations by 2030, increasing Ireland's offshore wind target to 7GW, and advocating for reforms to transmission charging methodologies. These desired outcomes are tied to measurable goals and demonstrate a high level of transparency in the company's lobbying objectives and policy engagements.
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4
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| Overall Assessment |
Comment |
Score |
| Comprehensive |
SSE has demonstrated a comprehensive climate lobbying governance process, particularly through its detailed Trade Association Review for the 2021/22 financial year. The company has disclosed a thorough review of its trade association memberships to ensure alignment with its climate change principles and the goals of the Paris Agreement. SSE explicitly states that it "commits to only conduct lobbying and advocacy activity that is in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement and its own net zero strategy and ambitions," covering both direct advocacy activities and advocacy conducted through trade associations. This commitment is reinforced by SSE's publicly available Group Political and Regulatory Engagement Policy, which ensures transparency and integrity in its lobbying efforts. SSE has identified responsible parties for overseeing climate lobbying alignment, including its Corporate Affairs directorate, which "maintains an overview of trade associations' advocacy activities." Furthermore, SSE employees actively participate in the boards and committees of key trade associations, such as Energy Networks Association, Energy UK, RenewableUK, Scottish Renewables, and others, ensuring oversight and alignment with SSE's climate goals. For example, SSE's Chief Commercial Officer is a Board Member of Energy UK, and SSE holds positions as Chair and Vice-Chair in various committees of the Electricity Association of Ireland. The company has also published detailed findings from its Trade Association Review, assessing 18 trade associations against its five key principles to reach net zero. SSE found that "16 of its trade associations were aligned overall to its five key principles," while two were partially aligned. SSE has committed to "seek increased engagement on the specific issues where partial alignment was identified" and to "monitor the publications and policies of its trade associations to ensure that their advocacy activities do not oppose the goals in the Paris Agreement or SSE's net zero ambitions." This indicates a robust monitoring and accountability mechanism. Additionally, SSE has committed to annual reviews of its trade association memberships, ensuring continuous monitoring and alignment. The company states that "subsequent reviews will be published following the close of the financial year," demonstrating its commitment to transparency and ongoing improvement in climate lobbying governance. SSE's approach includes assessing trade associations against its five principles, which encompass acknowledging the threat of climate change, supporting the Paris Agreement, advocating for a strong carbon price, promoting innovation, and seeking a just transition to net zero. Overall, SSE's governance process is comprehensive, with clear oversight structures, monitoring mechanisms, and accountability measures in place to ensure alignment of its direct and indirect lobbying activities with its climate goals.
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4
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