The secretive cabal of US polluters rewriting the EU’s human rights and climate law

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🗞️ Driving the news: A leaked report has revealed the secretive efforts of a cabal of US multinational companies, including major fossil fuel giants like Chevron and ExxonMobil, to weaken the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD)
• The group, known as the Competitiveness Roundtable, has lobbied aggressively across EU institutions and governments to dilute the landmark law, which aims to hold corporations accountable for human rights and climate impacts

🔭 The context: The CSDDD is a key EU law designed to enforce corporate responsibility regarding supply chains and climate action
• The leaked documents show how major US-based polluting companies have used both corporate lobbying and foreign influence to challenge the law’s core provisions, particularly those addressing climate transition and civil liability
• This has sparked concerns about the undue influence of corporate interests in shaping European legislation

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The CSDDD was conceived to ensure that businesses take responsibility for human rights violations and environmental degradation within their supply chains
• The interference by major corporations undermines the law's effectiveness, delaying climate action and weakening commitments to sustainable practices
• If these companies succeed, it could set a dangerous precedent for corporate capture of environmental and human rights laws, further delaying the global transition to a sustainable economy

⏭️ What's next: The EU is set to finalise the Omnibus I package by the end of 2025, with discussions on the CSDDD's scope and climate obligations expected to intensify
• Stakeholders in the EU seek to balance corporate lobbying pressures with the public's demand for stronger climate laws
• Future decisions will be crucial for maintaining the integrity of the EU’s environmental policies

💬 One quote: “The lawmaking process should not be hijacked by corporate interests, especially when they undermine public trust and the planet’s future.” — David Ollivier de Leth, journalist

📈 One stat: Chevron and ExxonMobil, members of the Competitiveness Roundtable, are among the top US-based corporations contributing to the campaign against the CSDDD, aiming to influence EU policy on climate responsibility

See on illuminem's Data Hub™ the sustainability performance of Chevron, ExxonMobil, and their peers in the energy sector

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