CLIMATE AMBITION TO ADVOCACY: A framework for responsible policy engagement

The We Mean Business Coalition's framework for Responsible Policy Engagement (RPE) addresses the 'advocacy gap' where corporate climate commitments are not matched by their political influence. It defines RPE as engagement that supports policy interventions to reduce emissions in line with net zero by 2050. The report identifies drivers for RPE, including investor pressure via the Global Standard on Responsible Climate Lobbying and increased scrutiny from civil society and regulators. It outlines a business case for RPE based on risk reduction, regulatory certainty, and reputation. The core of the document is a resource library categorized into five action areas: committing to speak up, establishing governance, direct engagement, aligning trade associations, and allocating advocacy spending. It emphasizes the 'ambition loop,' where corporate advocacy spurs ambitious government policy, which in turn enables companies to meet their own climate targets.

• There is a significant 'advocacy gap' where companies set science-based targets but fail to support the policies needed to achieve them. For example, an analysis of S&P 100 companies in the U.S. found that while half had science-based targets, only 19% publicly supported the Inflation Reduction Act.
• Responsible Policy Engagement (RPE) is defined as external corporate policy engagement that recognizes the threat of climate inaction and supports policy interventions and investments aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions at a pace consistent with net zero by 2050, supported by internal alignment of corporate functions.
• Companies are facing increasing external pressure to adopt RPE from investors, civil society, and regulators. Investors use the Global Standard on Responsible Climate Lobbying as a benchmark, while the UN High-Level Expert Group (HLEG) has recommended steps to align lobbying and advocacy to increase the credibility of net-zero commitments.
• The 'ambition loop' describes a positive dynamic where corporate climate action and public climate policy reinforce each other; companies that advocate for ambitious policy create an environment that enables them to deliver their own climate targets more effectively.
• Practicing RPE offers several business benefits, including the reduction of climate-related risks, lower costs through swifter action, increased regulatory certainty, and a better reputation among consumers and employees.
• The framework organizes RPE into five operational pillars: committing to speak up publicly, establishing internal governance and review processes, engaging directly with policymakers, aligning trade associations to the 1.5°C pathway, and allocating advocacy spending to support climate goals.

APA

We Mean Business Coalition (2023). CLIMATE AMBITION TO ADVOCACY: A framework for responsible policy engagement. https://www.wemeanbusinesscoalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/A-Framework-for-Responsible-Policy-Engagement-–-RPE.pdf

Chicago

We Mean Business Coalition. CLIMATE AMBITION TO ADVOCACY: A framework for responsible policy engagement. 2023. https://www.wemeanbusinesscoalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/A-Framework-for-Responsible-Policy-Engagement-–-RPE.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=We Mean Business Coalition |title=CLIMATE AMBITION TO ADVOCACY: A framework for responsible policy engagement |date=June 2023 |url=https://www.wemeanbusinesscoalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/A-Framework-for-Responsible-Policy-Engagement-–-RPE.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{wemeanbusinesscoalition2023climate, author = {{We Mean Business Coalition}}, title = {{CLIMATE AMBITION TO ADVOCACY: A framework for responsible policy engagement}}, institution = {We Mean Business Coalition}, year = {2023}, month = jun, url = {https://www.wemeanbusinesscoalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/A-Framework-for-Responsible-Policy-Engagement-–-RPE.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }