Patterns of business opposition and support shape the pace and scope of environmental policy reforms. This project studies the drivers of business position-taking on climate and environmental policy. A deeper understanding of business motivations can inform policy strategies for securing business support for policy reforms. Empirically, the research focuses on the oil and gas industry’s stance on US methane emissions policy. Methane emissions policy in the US has a long history, with segments of the oil and gas industry having backed state and federal policies at critical junctures over the past decade.

The project’s theoretical contribution is to draw together literature from economics, business management, political science and sociology to shed light on the multiple and interlinked drivers of business position-taking on environmental policy.