Glencore International
What do our scores mean?
The organizational score represents the degree to which the organization influencing climate policy and legislation. Corporations also have relationship scores reflecting their links with influencers like trade associations. Both are combined to place the corporation in a performance band. Full details can be found here.
Engagement Intensity
The engagement intensity (EI) is a metric of the extent to which the company is engaging on climate change policy matters, whether positively or negatively. It is a number from 0 (no engagement at all) to 100 (full engagement on all queries/data points). Clearly energy companies are more affected by climate regulations and will have a higher EI than, for example retailers. So an organization’s score should be looked at in conjunction with this metric to gauge the amount of evidence we are using in each case as a basis for scoring. On our scale, an EI of more than 35 indicates a relatively large amount of climate policy engagement.
Relationship Score, December 2020
A new batch of industry associations has been uploaded onto the InfluenceMap system and the relationship scores recalculated accordingly.
Updated terminology, February 2021
We adjusted the terminology used to describe the queries running down the left-hand side of our scoring matrix and added additional explanatory text to the info-boxes. This has no impact on the scores and methodology. It has been done following user feedback to improve clarity.
- Details of Organization Score
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What do the 0,1,2 and NSs, NAs mean?
Each cell in the organization's matrix presents a chance for us to assess each data source against our column of climate change policy queries. We score from -2 to 2, with negative scores representing evidence of obstructive influence. "NA" means "not applicable" and "NS" means "not scored" - that is we did not find any evidence either way. In both cases, the cell's weighting is re-distributed over others. Red and blue cells represent highly interesting negative or positive influence respectively. Full details can be found here.
- Details of Relationship Score
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What is the Relationship Score
A corporation, as well as its organizational score will have a relationship score. It is computed by aggregating the organizational scores of the Influencers (trade bodies etc.) it has relationships with, weighted by both the strength of these relationships and the relative importance of the Influencers towards climate change policy. Full details can be found here.
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QUERIES
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DATA SOURCES | |||||||
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Main Web Site
The main organizational Web site of the company and its direct links to major affiliates and attached documents. |
Social Media
We search other media and sites funded or controlled by the organization, such as social media (Twitter, Facebook) and direct advertising campaigns of the organization. |
CDP Responses
We assess and score responses to two questions from CDP's climate change information request (12.3 a & 12.3c) related to political influence questions (currently these are not numerically scored by the CDP process). |
Legislative Consultations
Comments from the entity being scored on governmental regulatory consultation processes, including those obtained by InfluenceMap through Freedom of Information requests. |
Media Reports
Here we search in a consistent manner (the organization name and relevant query search terms) a set of web sites of representing reputable news or data aggregations. Supported by targeted searches of proprietary databases. |
CEO Messaging
Here we search in a consistent manner (the CEO/Chairman, organization name and relevant query search terms) a set of web sites of representing reputable news or data aggregations. Supported by targeted searches of proprietary databases. |
Financial Disclosures
We search 10-K and 20-F SEC filings where available, and non US equivalents where not. . |
EU Register
Information provided by to the voluntary EU Transparency Register. |
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Communication of Climate Science
Is the organization transparent and clear about its position on climate change science? |
2
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2
|
NS | NS | NS | NS | NS | NA |
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Alignment with IPCC on Climate Action
Is the organization supporting the science-based response to climate change as set out by the IPCC? (the IPCC) |
0
|
1
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NA |
-1
|
-1
|
0
|
NS | NA |
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Supporting the Need for Regulations
To what extent does the organization express the need for regulatory intervention to resolve the climate crisis? |
0
|
NS | NS | NS |
-1
|
0
|
NS | NA |
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Support of UN Climate Process
Is the organization supporting the UN FCCC process on climate change? |
0
|
1
|
NS | NS |
-1
|
1
|
NS | NA |
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Transparency on Legislation
Is the organisation transparent about its positions on climate change legislation/policy and its activities to influence it? |
0
|
NA |
-2
|
NA | NA | NA | NS | NA |
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Carbon Tax
Is the organisation supporting policy and legislative measures to address climate change: carbon tax. |
-1
|
NS |
-1
|
NS |
-1
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-2
|
NS | NA |
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Emissions Trading
Is the organisation supporting policy and legislative measures to address climate change: emissions trading. |
0
|
NS |
0
|
NS | NS | NS | NS | NA |
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Energy and Resource Efficiency
Is the organization supporting policy and legislative measures to address climate change: energy efficiency policy, standards, and targets |
NS | NS | NS | NS | NS | NS | NS | NA |
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Renewable Energy
Is the organization supporting policy and legislative measures to address climate change: Renewable energy legislation, targets, subsidies, and other policy |
NS | NS |
0
|
NS |
-1
|
NS | NS | NA |
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Energy Transition & Zero Carbon Technologies
Is the organization supporting an IPCC-aligned transition of the economy away from carbon-emitting technologies, including supporting relevant policy and legislative measures to enable this transition? |
-1
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0
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NS |
-2
|
-1
|
0
|
-2
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NA |
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GHG Emission Regulation
Is the organization supporting policy and legislative measures to address climate change: GHG emission standards and targets. Is the organization supporting policy and legislative measures to address climate change: Standards, targets, and other regulatory measures directly targeting Greenhouse Gas emissions |
NS | NS | NS |
-1
|
-1
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NS | NS | NA |
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Disclosure on Relationships
Is the organization transparent about its involvement with industry associations that are influencing climate policy, including the extent to which it is aligned with these groups on climate? |
1
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NS |
-2
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NA | NA | NA | NS | NA |
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Senior Exec is on Executive Committee (Up to date 13/05/2020)
Alexis Segal
Open PDF file of Data Source
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Senior executive of Glencore is on the board of MAC
Kristan Straub
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Senior Exec is on Executive Committee (Up to date 13/05/2020)
Alexis Segal
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Senior executive of Glencore is on the board of MAC
Kristan Straub
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Senior executive of Glencore is on the MCA Board of Directors (up to date 18th Feb 2020)
Gary Nagle
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Senior executive of Glencore is Senior vice Chair of MCA
Peter Freyberg
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Senior executive of Glencore is on the MCA Board of Directors (up to date 18th Feb 2020)
Gary Nagle
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Senior executive of Glencore is Senior vice Chair of MCA
Peter Freyberg
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Executive of Glencore Coal is Vice-Chairman of World Coal
Mick Buffier
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Executive of Glencore Coal is Chairman of World Coal
Mick Buffier
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Executive of Glencore Coal is Vice-Chairman of World Coal
Mick Buffier
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Executive of Glencore Coal is Chairman of World Coal
Mick Buffier
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Representative of Glencore South Africa and COO of Glencore Coal are on the board (Up to date 13.05.2020)
Japie Fullard, Murry Houston
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Senior Executive of subsidiary of Glencore is on the council of CM
Murray Houston
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Representative of Glencore South Africa and COO of Glencore Coal are on the board (Up to date 13.05.2020)
Japie Fullard, Murry Houston
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Senior Executive of subsidiary of Glencore is on the council of CM
Murray Houston
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Glencore is deputy chair of NSW Mineral Councils' board of directors
Mr Mick Buffier
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Glencore is a direct member of the NSW Minerals Council through its coal business segment. (Up to date 18th Feb 2020)
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
A subsidiary of Glencore is a direct member of the NSW Minerals Council
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Glencore is deputy chair of NSW Mineral Councils' board of directors
Mr Mick Buffier
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Glencore is a direct member of the NSW Minerals Council through its coal business segment. (Up to date 18th Feb 2020)
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
A subsidiary of Glencore is a direct member of the NSW Minerals Council
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Matt O'Neill (COO of Glencore Copper Assets) is the vice president of QRC and Ian Cribb (COO Glencore Coal) is a director of the board.
Matt O'Neill, Ian Cribb
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
A senior executive of Glencore is a director on QRC's board (up to date 18th Feb 2020)
Ian Cribb
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
A senior executive of Glencore is a QRC Vice-President
Mike Westerman
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Matt O'Neill (COO of Glencore Copper Assets) is the vice president of QRC and Ian Cribb (COO Glencore Coal) is a director of the board.
Matt O'Neill, Ian Cribb
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
A senior executive of Glencore is a director on QRC's board (up to date 18th Feb 2020)
Ian Cribb
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
A senior executive of Glencore is a QRC Vice-President
Mike Westerman
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Glencore is a member of Eurometaux
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Glencore is a member of Eurometaux
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Glencore is a member of Eurometaux
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Glencore is a member of Eurometaux
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Glencore is a Business Member of CEFIC
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
A subsidiary of Glencore is a Business Member of Cefic
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Glencore is a Business Member of CEFIC
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
A subsidiary of Glencore is a Business Member of Cefic
How to Read our Relationship Score Map
In this section, we depict graphically the relationships the corporation has with trade associations, federations, advocacy groups and other third parties who may be acting on their behalf to influence climate change policy. Each of the columns above represents one relationship the corporation appears to have with such a third party. In these columns, the top, dark section represents the strength of the relationship the corporation has with the influencer. For example if a corporation's senior executive also held a key role in the trade association, we would deem this to be a strong relationship and it would be on the far left of the chart above, with the weaker ones to the right. Click on these grey shaded upper sections for details of these relationships. The middle section contains a link to the organization score details of the influencer concerned, so you can see the details of its climate change policy influence. Click on the middle sections for for details of the trade associations. The lower section contains the organization score of that influencer, the lower the more negatively it is influencing climate policy.
Climate Lobbying Overview: Glencore appears broadly unsupportive of immediate action on climate change and continues to support a sustained role for coal in the energy mix. Glencore also retains membership to a network of trade associations which engage negatively on various strands of climate change policy.
Top-line Messaging on Climate Policy: In 2020, Glencore has stated that the response to climate change should pursue “twin objectives” of limiting temperatures in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement and supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals, stressing access to affordable energy. In 2020, Glencore also continues to communicate its position on climate action with conditions such as the need for a “least-cost" approach to GHG emissions reductions. This framing appears to be used by the company to support pathways that rely heavily on the successful scaling of technologies such as CCS rather than more immediate, regulatory efforts to cut GHG emissions.
Engagement with Climate-Related Regulations: Glencore does not appear to support ambitious Australian climate policy. In 2018, Glencore advocated for weakening the Safeguard Mechanism, a policy designed to limit increased GHG emissions from heavy emitters, pushing for greater flexibility in setting GHG baselines along with the use of offsets. In 2019, Glencore further stated support for the Mineral Council Australia’s position on the policy, which likewise advocated several measures to weaken the policy. Despite Glencore’s 2019 disclosures stating that it supports ‘carbon pricing policy’ in principle, in practice, the company has not supported carbon tax legislation in South Africa. In 2019, Glencore disclosed that it supported the Minerals Council of South Africa’s position which, in the lead up to the carbon tax bill’s approval in 2019, repeatedly called for further delays to its implementation, raising concerns that it was not accompanied by sufficient incentives, while also demanding relief be agreed for the mining sector.
Positioning on Energy Transition: Glencore promotes the role coal in the global energy mix, maintaining in its 2020 reporting that it will be required to meet energy demand in Asia, and promoting coal as “part of the energy solution” in a 2020 presentation at a conference on the Swiss Energy Strategy. In May 2020, Glencore advocated for the approval of the Valeria project in Queensland, a new thermal and metallurgical coal mine. In July 2020 Glencore Chief Operating Officer Ian Cribb commented to the press on the project, stating, “In Queensland, coal continues to be an important driver of the economy as a source of jobs, royalties, reliable energy and support for local businesses.” Ian Cribb is also a director at the Queensland Resources Council, which ran a political advertising campaign in the run-up to the Queensland Election in October 2020 to encourage political support for the coal industry, while also heavily criticising Queensland’s Green Party.
Industry Association Governance: Glencore retains strong links to several trade associations actively opposed to meaningful climate change policy, including as a director on the board of the Queensland Resources Council, board-membership of the Minerals Council of Australia and The Minerals Council South Africa, and regular membership of the New South Wales Minerals Council. Glencore has published two industry association reviews, most recently in December 2020, but “found no serious misalignment” between its position and the positions of these industry associations.