Fossil fuel lobbying in the heart of EU decision-making

A joint investigation by Transparency International EU (TI EU) and Friends of the Earth Europe reveals how fossil fuel companies have successfully maintained a powerful grip over climate policy in the European Union. Despite increasing public pressure for bold climate action, Big Oil continues to exert disproportionate influence behind the scenes, often leading to weakened or delayed policies that serve corporate interests over the planet’s future.

The report highlights that the top seven global fossil fuel companies, based on global revenue, namely Shell, Total, Eni, Equinor, ExxonMobil, BP and Chevron, operate within a wider network of 55 business and trade associations, massively expanding their access to EU policymakers. These companies hold 16 out of 45 seats on association boards, giving them additional leverage over shared lobbying strategies and policy priorities. Notably, the European Green Deal emerged as the most lobbied topic, providing a key arena where fossil fuel interests sought to shape the EU's climate agenda. This multilayered influence allows fossil fuel interests to present a unified front and amplify their voice in Brussels.

Amplifying influence from Brussels to COP28

The investigation also showed that at least 30 per cent of these fossil fuel-affiliated organisations were present at COP28, demonstrating the global reach of their lobbying apparatus. This overlap suggests that Brussels is not only a target but a hub for international climate policy shaping, often to the detriment of environmental ambition.

A win for transparency

Among the key recommendations from TI EU’s report was the call for increased transparency in EU policymaking, particularly requiring lower-ranking European Commission officials to disclose their meetings with lobbyists. This recommendation has since been adopted by the new Commission, marking a rare policy victory for transparency advocates and a step toward greater accountability.

New lobby data shows continued imbalance

Building on the fossil fuel lobbying report, TI EU also released a major analysis of over 30,000 lobby meetings held by Members of the European Parliament (MEPs). The data confirms that commercial interests - especially those in the energy and industry sectors - continue to dominate access to lawmakers, accounting for nearly two thirds of all meetings. Meanwhile, public interest groups remain underrepresented, and meetings with fossil fuel actors persist even within climate-relevant committees like ENVI.

These investigations expose a system where undue influence threatens to derail Europe’s climate commitments. While some transparency gains have been achieved, systemic reforms such as open decision-making processes and monitoring and sanction mechanisms in case of breaches are needed to limit policy capture by entrenched fossil fuel interests and to ensure that climate decisions truly serve the public good.