Net-Zero Communication

Corporations are crucial in shaping environmental discourse, particularly regarding net-zero policies. Despite widespread commitments, reports indicate a lack of transparency and accountability, with many companies accused of “greenwashing” while simultaneously lobbying against stricter climate policies. This study examines net-zero obstruction by analyzing corporate lobbying strategies in Europe and their impact on net-zero policies. It also explores the role of journalists in scrutinizing these efforts, assessing whether media coverage effectively holds corporations accountable or is influenced by corporate interests. By conducting semi-structured interviews with corporate lobbyists in Europe and journalists covering net-zero on the European level, this project provides answers into how corporations shape net-zero policies, what strategies they use to influence political decisions, how they balance genuine commitment with hidden agendas, how journalists monitor corporate lobbying, and how corporate influence affect journalistic reporting on net-zero. The project addresses the need for stronger regulatory frameworks and independent media scrutiny to ensure that corporate net-zero commitments translate into genuine climate action.

Researchers: Nadine Strauß, Denis Simunovic, Vesile Cinceoglu

Funding: Climate Social Science Network (Brown University, USA)