CEO’s first ‘Worst EU Lobbying’ Award evening: Brussels’ newest tradition!

Last week, Brussels saw the exciting beginning of Brussels’ newest tradition: the awards ceremony for the Winners of the ‘Worst EU Lobbying’ Award of the year!

After a 3-week online voting process, with more than 8000 votes cast, the top-3 candidates were presented in a suspense filled award ceremony, fantastically hosted by the ‘Cinema Nova’ in the heart of Brussels. The top-3 were:

• ExxonMobil, for funding the right-wing think tank ‘Center for the New Europe’ for their anti-climate activities;
• The Campaign for Creativity, for disguising as a grassroots campaign while fighting for software patents for big industry;
• The European Partnership for Energy and the Environment (EPEE), for pretending to be a European, green and responsible industry association, whereas its sole purpose is to defend the interests of the (mainly US) F-gas (highly potent greenhouse gases) producers like DuPont.

The evening was organised in association with SpinWatch, LobbyControl and Friends of the Earth Europe.

Some pictures of the award ceremony

Eveline Lubbers (SpinWatch) spelled out how the world’s largest oil company makes generous donations to radical anti-environmental think tanks in Brussels, like the Center for the New Europe. In return for cash, these think tanks work hard to prevent any substantial EU action against climate change. The Centre for the New Europe last year received $80,000 for its so called “Global Climate Change Education Efforts”. This paid for events with speakers such as notorious climate sceptic Fred Singer.

Just last week, two UK newspapers revealed plans to further intensify the attack on European climate change policies. Chris Horner of the Competitive Enterprise Institute, again: funded by ExxonMobil, is plotting to launch a socalled “Sound Climate Policy Coalition” in Brussels to repeat what big oil has already achieved in the US.

Ulrich Mueller of LobbyControl entertained the audience with spicy details of the ingenious lobbying tactics of the Campaign for Creativity, that included handing out free computer mice and icecream to MEPs, and haunting the canals of Strasbourg with a motorised yacht. The mastermind of the Campaign, Simon Gentry, who previously campaigned for biotech patents on behalf of SmithKlineBeecham, responded to our invitation saying that he would try and attend the event. However, as he notified us, changing his plans had proven impossible. “That’s the problem with voluntary work”, he wrote, “no matter how committed to the cause I am, my paying clients must come first (I have rent to pay).” He announced that he would have dedicated the Award to Plan International “… for their extraordinary work with children around the world. They don’t waste resources flying thousands of miles to stand outside WTO meetings shouting empty slogans, they focus their resources on improving the lives of children and their communities on the ground, today.”

Mahi Sideridou, climate campaigner at Greenpeace, gave a moving account of how the European Partnership for Energy and the Environment, run by PR firm Hill & Knowlton, is in fact a US industry front fighting EU measures against F-gas emissions. “The European Partnership for Energy and the Environment is not European nor a Partnership, it¡Çs not about Energy and definitely not for the Environment.” Mahi also referred to a BBC Radio 4 documentary, in which F-gas rapporteur MEP Doyle accused the F-gas industry of ‘scare mongering’ her colleagues with job losses in their region. When asked by the BBC, Hill & Knowlton’s Mary B. Walsh could not substantiate these threats with any research.

To nobody’s surprise, the Campaign for Creativity was the undisputed winner of the ‘Worst EU Lobbying’ Award 2005, with no less than 7035 votes.

A special ‘black box’ Award was awarded to EPACA and SEAP, both claiming to represent the lobbyist profession, for their obstructive campaign against lobbying transparency. Despite their extremely low public profile, characteristic of lobbyists, 84 voters were of the opinion that EPACA and SEAP deserved to win the ‘Worst EU Lobbying’ Award for their work to keep the public in the dark about lobbying.

Several news articles were written on the event. A Dutch newspaper asked Simon Gentry for comment, but unfortunately he was unavailable [ed. the problem with voluntary work again?] After this successful debut ‘Worst EU Lobbying’ Award, we are looking forward to see you at next year’s awards with more categories and fresh candidates!