Corporate Europe Observatory

Description

Corporate Europe Observatory is a research and campaign group that exposes and challenges the privileged access and influence corporations and their lobby groups have in EU policy making.

Its researchers and campaigners cover areas such as lobbying the EU, agribusiness, chemicals policy, climate and energy, economic and social justice, and big tech. It publishes reports on corporate lobbying at the EU level, which regularly attract international media attention. It has reported jointly with other groups on issues such as fossil fuel industry presence at climate summits and corporate influence over EU presidencies.

The organisation works in coalitions, and it co-founded the Alliance for Lobbying Transparency and Ethics Regulation, a coalition of civil society groups, trade unions and academics that monitors lobbying influence on European politics. It also co-organises the Worst EU Lobbying Awards, given to lobby groups judged to use the most misleading tactics to influence EU decisions. It is based in Brussels.

Corporate Europe Observatory is funded by individual supporters and by grants from trusts and foundations, and its funding policy rejects money from EU institutions and corporations to protect the independence of its research.