The voice of business matters
María Mendiluce
The words of Mark Carney continue to resonate. We’re in a rupture. The old world order is breaking down and new forms of multilateralism are emerging. In these challenging times, corporate advocacy has an important role to play.
Business commands some of the highest levels of trust among the public, particularly from their employees and in the countries in which they’re headquartered. The business voice is vital. When it comes to climate action, it builds belief in the benefits of the energy transition to modern economies – and creates support for government action that strengthens energy security and competitiveness.
Companies also know that engaging with policy can help them manage risks and unlock opportunity. Just last week, the number of SBTi companies with validated targets passed 10,000. As these companies develop transition plans to deliver on their targets, it becomes clear where they are most dependent on enabling policy and regulation to deliver.
Many businesses are evolving how they advocate and communicate about climate. They’re framing the action they’re taking in terms of growth, business continuity and materiality, and using more diverse tactics such as private letters and closed-door meetings with policymakers.
What’s key is that corporate advocacy continues. The latest snapshot of corporate advocacy from InfluenceMap and the Coalition features testimonials from companies including Holcim, Trane and Maersk on why they continue to prioritize policy engagement: they need a stable policy environment to operate. During COP30, scores of companies added their names to the Coalition’s sign-on letter calling for agreement on a roadmap to transition away from fossil fuels. European companies were effective advocates for the EU’s 2040 target, supporting interventions by our partners CLG Europe.
Looking ahead, clear, consistent signals to policymakers are needed more than ever. We’ll work with partners to ensure the business voice is heard at moments that matter. For instance:
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With most countries’ climate plans now submitted, 2026 is the year NDCs are turned into implementation.
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The EU is focused on delivering industrial competitiveness and energy security, with significant legislation and action plans due this year.
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In the U.S., our partner Ceres will convene leading companies and investors in March at LEAD on Clean Energy 2026, urging federal policymakers to prioritize market certainty and affordability as cornerstones of an advanced, clean economy.
Our Responsible Policy Engagement (RPE) framework remains the starting point for companies seeking to turn their climate ambition into action through advocacy. It offers tools and guidance for consistent, credible engagement in complex political environments, and we continue to build on it to help companies seize new opportunities.
For many companies, trade associations represent a significant share of their advocacy footprint. Last year, our partners at WBCSD released detailed guidance on engaging trade groups. Together, we are now convening like-minded companies around shared trade association memberships and policy priorities. We have also explored other realms of influence, including effective engagement with public affairs agencies.
The Coalition recognizes that companies of all sizes have a role to play in shaping policies that strengthen their own resilience and competitiveness, and that of the wider economy. A new action guide from the SME Climate Hub will support small and medium-sized businesses in our network to use their voices as well.
Whether it’s a multinational or small business, in public or in private, directly or through associations, the voice of business matters – and, amid all the noise, it needs to be heard.