BEST LOBBYING CAMPAIGN
Country Land and Business Association – Rural Powerhouse
The Country Land and Business Association’s Rural Powerhouse campaign is designed to unlock the immense economic and social potential of the countryside.
Through an innovative campaign, the CLA brought together over 50 different trade bodies, academics, business leaders, community groups and charities, joining forces with MPs and Peers, to run the biggest inquiry into the rural economy in recent memory.
The resulting report, with its 27 recommendations, secured cross-party support and significant policy changes to support economic growth and job creation in rural communities. One government minister described the campaign as ‘‘I have never come across a campaign that has been so influential across government’.
Eurelectric – Electricity Market Design – Fit for Net Zero
Eurelectric has been conducting a campaign on the reform of the EU electricity market proposed by the European Commission last year. The campaign focused on comprehensive research, policy recommendations, stakeholder engagement, public events, and an integrated communications strategy. By advocating for an evolutionary approach to the market, we aimed to preserve its fundamentals while incorporating new elements to prepare for and enable a net-zero energy system. Conducting a detailed study on the existing market design and collaborating with key stakeholders, we have been able to shape the debate and strive after our organisational priorities. Effective communication with members served as a megaphone amplifying the messages far and wide. The campaign’s success led to the preservation of the EU electricity market’s core principles, safeguarding cost-efficiency, cross-border exchanges, and healthy competition. It also shielded members from regulatory uncertainty and distortions, promoting investment in renewable and low-carbon technologies and fostering innovation, job creation, and economic growth in the European electricity industry. Our campaign stood out for its effectiveness, evidence-based approach, proactive stakeholder engagement, extensive communication, and commitment to transparency and collaboration. Overall, their campaign achieved significant outcomes and investment certainty for the benefit of customers and society as a whole.
Liquid Gas UK – Off Grid Green
Off-Grid Green was campaign that gave off-grid domestic and commercial customers information about the decarbonisation proposals being discussed at Government level. It provided information about the heating options available to off-grid homes using oil, solid fuel or LPG.
The ‘Off-Grid Green’ campaign championed a mixed technology approach to heat decarbonisation in off-gas grid homes and businesses. It looked at the options available to reach Net Zero in rural areas and provides practical advice to consumers.
Nautilus International – Ending the OWWC: fair employment practices for UK offshore wind
Nautilus International, the trade union for maritime professionals, has successfully lobbied for an end to the UK Government’s Offshore Wind Workers Concession (OWWC) – an immigration waiver that was costing our members their jobs, and which permitted this growing industry to avoid training and employing the next generation of UK seafarers for green energy careers.
This means better employment protection for UK-based seafarers, and a better chance for the country to build an essential base of skilled workers in the maritime and green industries.
The CIPD – #Flexfrom1st
In February 2021, the CIPD launched a successful policy change campaign, #Flexfrom1st, calling on organisations and the UK government to make flexible working a day-one right for employees. This followed evidence that 46% of workers didn’t have any flexible working arrangements in their roles. The CIPD, who’s purpose is to champion better work and working lives, wanted to use its voice to stand up for the millions of workers that lacked flexibility in their roles and call for legislation change to bring the current 26-week qualifying period for flexible working to a day one right. The CIPD launched #Flexfrom1st highlighting the inequalities to flexible working across the UK and revealed a unique campaign identity to its members and beyond. The CIPD’s Chief Executive, Peter Cheese, holds the position of Co-Chair for the UK Government’s Flexible Working Taskforce which brings together a variety of organisations to boost awareness of flexible working and best practices, giving the CIPD a strong route to Government on the topic. On the 5 December 2022, it was announced that the change in legislation would be made a reality – a huge win for the #Flexfrom1st campaign.
