Lobbyists Accused of Blocking Climate Change Efforts

Could lobbyists really be working against the greater good? Say it ain’t so.

The Center for Public Integrity says it is so. The organization sent out a team of reporters to eight countries starting this July, with the intent of figuring out just how much paid industry lobbyists are affecting the debate on climate change. The answer: a whole lot.

In the United States alone the number of lobbyists working on climate change issues has blossomed to 2,800, four times the number that existed six years ago, fielded by companies like ExxonMobil.

While the sub-group gathering the information, the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, is still releasing information (the segment on the U.S. will appear next week) there are some interesting tidbits given for perspective.

One is that the tactics lobbyists are using have shifted. Rather than simply advocating against climate change legislation, the message is now that we should slow down and take our time, rather than operating with the sense of urgency that climatologists recommend.

The ICIJ also says that the overall picture of climate politics is more nuanced than is typically reported. Developed countries like the U.S. and developing countries like China are regularly portrayed as being in opposition to each other; instead, the ICIJ says that lobbying is a significant force in countries of all sides, and the true opponents of legislation are industries loathe to change.

It sounds like the ICIJ will be releasing some interesting information in the coming weeks. They’re also sparing no effort to be impartial, though.

For instance, the key findings of the report say that no developed nation has made a firm pledge for emissions cuts “as a result of the forces arrayed against stricter emissions limits.” It’s implied that the only force at work is lobbying, when in reality, many citizens of those countries don’t believe in climate change.

One could argue that lobbyists and advertising are responsible for that disbelief, but psychology also plays a significant part.

And there doesn’t seem to be any measurement of the forces on the side of climate change. That includes some large companies, and the solar industry is actively going after the coal and oil lobby.

Finally, all this lobbying isn’t taking place in a vacuum. The Sydney Morning Herald quotes an Australian lobbyist: “It’s fair to say that most of the big companies would be very happy with the contact they’ve had with ministers,” he said. “It hasn’t been that hard to get access.” If lawmakers want to hear the message, is the messenger really to blame?