A new investigation has uncovered the powerful influence of the largest lobby groups on European institutions. The study, carried out by NGOs Corporate Europe Observatory and LobbyControl—organizations dedicated to tracking the impact of lobbying in Europe—reveals the key players shaping EU decisions. The report highlights 162 major companies and trade associations that apply significant pressure on the EU, estimating their lobbying expenditures. Using data from EU transparency registers and focusing on companies that spend at least one million euros on lobbying, the analysis shows that from February 2023 to February 2024, these powerful lobby groups spent a staggering 343 million euros, marking a 16% increase from 2020. Among the biggest spenders were tech giants like Meta and Microsoft, the European Banking Federation, energy company Shell, and pharmaceutical giant Bayer.
The study conducted by CEO and LobbyControl reveals that the highest spenders on lobbying activities are companies in the technology, energy, banking, and chemical industries. Lobbying refers to efforts aimed at influencing political and economic decisions to align with the interests of specific entities. While lobbying is allowed by European institutions, these bodies have established stakeholder registers where members must declare their spending on such activities (like organizing meetings, participating in discussions, or funding awareness campaigns). However, registration in the transparency register is not mandatory—it's merely "strongly recommended." The CEO and LobbyControl report relies on data from the CEO "LobbyFacts" database and the EU transparency register, so it only includes declared activities from companies that report spending at least one million euros annually. The report highlights that the actual corporate spending on lobbying in the EU is likely much higher than the figures presented.
The European Chemical Industries Council, the largest trade association for the chemical industry in Europe, leads the ranking of groups spending the most on lobbying, investing 10 million euros in 2024. Close behind are tech giants, with Meta spending 9 million euros, Microsoft 7 million, Apple 6.5 million, and Google 6 million. Overall, conservative estimates suggest the technology sector spent 67 million euros over the year on lobbying activities. The chemical industry followed with 45 million euros in spending, and when combined with the pharmaceutical industry’s 21.75 million euros, it nearly matches the technology sector's total. In the chemical industry, the top spender was German company Bayer, with 6 million euros. The banking sector ranks second in individual spending, contributing 53.75 million euros, while the energy sector ties with chemicals, with a total of 45 million euros spent. Within this sector, Fuels Europe spent 4.5 million euros, and Shell followed with 4 million.
“Our analysis shows that EU decision-making faces a real risk of serving corporate interests and that effective protections are lacking. Democratic values and social and environmental protection should be prioritized over corporate competitiveness.” Despite the limitations of the research, it is highly likely that lobbying giants are spending far more than the figures estimated by CEO and LobbyControl. Moreover, as the authors of the report note, “given the European Commission’s current plans for an aggressive deregulation agenda and a replacement for green policies,” it’s clear that “their influence efforts are succeeding.” The solution, according to the groups, is clear: make registration mandatory, strengthen transparency regulations, impose tighter restrictions on industry lobbyists, and foster more dialogue with civil society.
Source: https://corporateeurope.org/en/2025/02/eus-lobby-league-table