SSAB
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. . |
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Communication of Climate Science
Is the organization transparent and clear about its position on climate change science? |
1
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2
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NS | NS | NS |
2
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NS |
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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) |
1
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1
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NA |
2
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0
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2
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NS |
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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? |
-1
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1
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NS |
0
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-1
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1
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NS |
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Support of UN Climate Process
Is the organization supporting the UN FCCC process on climate change? |
1
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1
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NS | NS |
1
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-1
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NS |
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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
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NA |
-1
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NA | NA | NA | NS |
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Carbon Tax
Is the organisation supporting policy and legislative measures to address climate change: carbon tax. |
NS | NS | NS |
1
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NS | NS | NS |
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Emissions Trading
Is the organisation supporting policy and legislative measures to address climate change: emissions trading. |
-1
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1
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-1
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0
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-1
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-1
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NS |
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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 |
0
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NS | NS | NS | NS | NS | NS |
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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 |
0
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NS | NS | NS | NS | NS | NS |
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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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1
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0
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1
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1
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1
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NS |
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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 |
0
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NS |
-1
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-2
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-2
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NS | NS |
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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? |
0
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NA |
1
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NA | NA | NA | NS |
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
SSAB Americas is represented in Committees and Working Groups of the Association. SSAB Americas Director of Government Relations serves on the National Public Affairs Steering Committee for the NAM
Open PDF file of Data Source
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
SSAB is a member of the National Association of Manufacturers
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
A Senior Executive for SSAB Americas serves on the National Public Affairs Steering Committee
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
A Senior Executive for SSAB serves on the National Public Affairs Steering Committee
Katie McCall
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
SSAB Americas is represented in Committees and Working Groups of the Association. SSAB Americas Director of Government Relations serves on the National Public Affairs Steering Committee for the NAM
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
SSAB is a member of the National Association of Manufacturers
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
A Senior Executive for SSAB Americas serves on the National Public Affairs Steering Committee
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
A Senior Executive for SSAB serves on the National Public Affairs Steering Committee
Katie McCall
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
SSAB Americas is a Producer Member of AISI
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
President of SSAB Americas is Vice Chairman of AISI
Chuck Schmitt
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
SSAB Americas is a Producer Member of AISI
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
President of SSAB Americas is Vice Chairman of AISI
Chuck Schmitt
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Senior executive of SSAB is a Eurofer Vice President
Olavi Huhtala
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
SSAB's CEO is a member of the Eurofer Vice Presidents, which is the highest decision-making body of the organization. SSAB is represented in various Committees and Working Groups of Eurofer. SSAB an active role in the decision-making bodies of the federation
Martin Lindqvist
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
SSAB is a member of Eurofer
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
SSAB is an indirect member of Eurofer through Jernkontoret
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
SSAB is a member of Eurofer
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Senior executive of SSAB is a Eurofer Vice President
Olavi Huhtala
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
SSAB's CEO is a member of the Eurofer Vice Presidents, which is the highest decision-making body of the organization. SSAB is represented in various Committees and Working Groups of Eurofer. SSAB an active role in the decision-making bodies of the federation
Martin Lindqvist
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
SSAB is a member of Eurofer
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
SSAB is an indirect member of Eurofer through Jernkontoret
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
SSAB is a member of Eurofer
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
SSAB is represented in the decision making bodies of the association
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
SSAB is a member of World Steel Association
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
SSAB is represented in the decision making bodies of the association
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
SSAB is a member of World Steel Association
not specified
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: SSAB appears to have mixed engagement with climate policy, a change in position from its previously predominantly negative approach. However, much of this more positive engagement stems from HYBRIT, a joint venture between SSAB, Vattenfall and LKAB to create a fossil-free steel value chain.
Top-line Messaging on Climate Policy: The company, through HYBRIT, in 2020 welcomed the EU’s goal of carbon neutrality by 2050, and voiced support for the European Green Deal and higher climate targets in 2019 following COP25. SSAB has previously emphasized the economic impacts of climate policies and stressed concerns about the effect on competitiveness.
Engagement with Climate-Related Regulations: SSAB seems to generally support emissions trading in public communications surrounding the HYBRIT project, yet in its 2019 CDP response the company emphasized concerns about carbon leakage due to the EU ETS and stated that the scheme should not have a cross-sectoral correction factor for manufacturers, which would make the scheme less effective. In feedback on the EU’s carbon border adjustment mechanism initiative in 2020, through the HYBRIT project SSAB expressed support for the instrument to prevent carbon leakage to protect European industry but requested that European manufacturers exporting goods not be subject to the mechanism, which would lower the price of carbon. The company has taken a mixed approach to GHG emissions legislation, in its 2019 CDP response stressing concerns around the economic and technical feasibility of GHG emissions standards, but stating on the corporate website that regulations on CO2 seem “virtually inevitable”.
Positioning on Energy Transition: SSAB appears to support the energy transition, the CEO in 2019 stating support for the decarbonization of the steel sector. The organization has consistently emphasized the importance of fossil-free electricity in order to transition the steel industry through the HYBRIT program, and in 2019 the CTO of SSAB and HYBRIT Chairman advocated for the EU to provide the necessary infrastructure for industries to utilize clean electricity to achieve climate targets.
Industry Association Governance: SSAB seems to have influential positions in several trade associations, through executive boards, in committees and working groups, which are lobbying negatively on climate change policy, such as Eurofer in Europe, and the American Iron and Steel Institute and the National Association of Manufacturers in the US. The company has not disclosed an audit of its alignment with the trade associations of which it is a member, but in response to CDP's 2020 Climate Change questionnaire the company has identified alignment with NAM and Eurofer. This negative indirect influence appears to contradict the company’s positive engagement with policy through HYBRIT.