In Brandenburg hatten die PR-Strategen des Unternehmens versucht, Vattenfall mit einem so genannten Klima-Unterricht an öffentlichen Schulen in einem positiven Licht zu präsentieren und so die öffentliche Meinungsbildung zu beeinflussen.

Das Unternehmen rühmt sich selbst damit, mit seiner Strategie bei zentralen Entscheidungsträgern, internationalen Unternehmen und in der Politik ein hohes Maß an Aufmerksamkeit zu erreichen. "Das ist nicht weiter verwunderlich, wenn man bedenkt, dass Vattenfall-Chef Lars Josefsson zu den Klimaberatern von Bundeskanzlerin Angela Merkel zählt", sagte SKA KELLER.

Der "Worst EU Lobbying Award" wird in diesem Jahr zum vierten Mal von den lobbykritischen Nicht-Regierungs-Gruppen Corporate Europe Observatory, Friends of the Earth Europe, Lobby Control und Spinwatch vergeben (mehr Infos unter www.worstlobby.eu). Der Negativ-Preis soll umstrittene Lobby-Strategien öffentlich anprangern und ihren weiteren öffentlichen Gebrauch eindämmen.

Begrüßt wird die Nominierung auch vom Bundesverband von BÜNDNIS 90/DIE GRÜNEN.

Der Nominierungstext der schwedischen Grünen:

The Swedish Green Party nominates the Swedish state-owned energy company Vattenfall for the Worst EU Lobbying Award 2008

Reason for nomination:
Vattenfall is one of the worst climate offenders in Europe. But instead of investing in renewable energy on its biggest markets, the company is running a massive pro-coal lobby campaign aimed at political decision-makers.
The campaign is spear-headed by CEO Lars Josefsson and the objective is to derail new EU regulation that may interfere with investments in coal and to shift major public investments from renewable energy and energy efficiency to the use of coal.
At the heart of this campaign lies the misleading concept of ”Clean Coal” and the capture and storage of carbon dioxide – CCS, a highly disputed technique that has limited effect, many risks, needs massive financial support and in any case will not be viable before 2020 - if ever.
Using CCS as a bait, Vattenfall is pushing for public acceptance and political support for new coal power plants in Europe, increasing emissions and destroying villages and local environment in Brandenburg. Vattenfall has also downplayed the renewables option as possible only in a distant future, and has even tried to formulate an alternative global strategy to combat climate change, undermining crucial internationally agreed treaties under the auspices of the United Nations.
The campaign has been greatly successful. In the words of the company, Josefsson ”has gained a listening ear among key decision-makers both in international business and in the world of politics.” Vattenfall has the support of hundreds of transnational companies, politicians as well as Energy Commissioner Andres Pielbags. German Chancellor Merkel has even appointed Josefsson as climate adviser to the government.
The result is declining political and financial support for energy savings and investments in renewable energy and increased emissions of carbon dioxide. Many new coal plants may be built on the scant hope that CCS will work. This may result in a global failure to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases by 2020 to the levels necessary to avoid large scale climate change.

Stockholm 25 August 2008



Maria Wetterstrand       Peter Eriksson

Co-chairs
Green Party of Sweden
Swedish Parliament
SE 100 12 Stockholm
Sweden 

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