Working with policy makers

As part of its public affairs activities, ABB is involved in energy-related discussions in different parts of the world. One such area is in the European Union (EU) where markets in which ABB is operating continue to be affected by European Union environmental and energy policies.

ABB welcomed the decision by the European Council in 2014 on a common EU Climate and Energy Strategy for 2030, which should lead to less political uncertainty in the markets. ABB sees it as important that EU institutions translate this strategy quickly into concrete legislative action, and has taken particular note of the power interconnection targets between EU member states for 2020 and 2030.

ABB has also been following developments in other EU policies on environmental emissions, such as in the areas of transport and industrial appliances, as well as a number of trade-related issues including the ongoing negotiations on lowering tariffs for environmentally-friendly goods. We maintain a dialogue with EU institutions to support political and regulatory conditions which enable the uptake of clean and efficient technologies and encourage further research and development.

ABB is providing active policy input through European business associations, such as the European Association of the Electricity Transmission and Distribution Equipment and Services Industry (T&D Europe), the European Engineering Industries Association (Orgalime), the European Round Table of Industrialists (ERT), the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA), Friends of the Supergrid (FoSG), euRobotics, the European Power Plant Suppliers Association (EPPSA) as well as a number of their national member organizations in European countries like Finland, Germany, Italy, Sweden and Switzerland.

In the United States, President Obama’s proposed regulations on power plant emissions and cross-border energy transfers were the focus of much government activity in 2014. With Congress and many states opposing the administration’s clean air plan, regulation of CO₂ remains unresolved and is likely to be further delayed by prolonged court proceedings. As a consequence, ABB concentrated its efforts on activities expected to produce more near-term results.

Both separately and in concert with our major trade associations, we worked to help policy makers recognize the benefits of cross-border energy transfers, increase support for liquefied natural gas exports, and encourage smart grid and grid security investments.

We also provided briefings and background materials on technologies and assets to promote greater grid protection. These briefings, accompanied by targeted white papers, have secured ABB’s position as a trusted technology expert and advisor to US government stakeholders. Our active involvement in these policy arenas has contributed to ABB’s continuing success in attracting federal research and development funding. In China, ABB has supported government activities in the areas of energy conservation and environmental protection in line with China’s 12th Five-Year Plan. In 2014, ABB continued to contribute products with the latest technology, introducing our worldwide solutions and expertise in smart grids and energy efficiency solutions to government agencies and key stakeholders.

ABB also provided reports to government entities to support urban sustainable development, intelligent industrial upgrading, institutional innovation and reforms, improvement of the business environment, and supporting China’s move from a “big” to a “strong” manufacturing center.