Composition and Determinants of Corporate Climate Lobbying: Evidence From Italy

This study investigates the determinants of corporate climate‐related lobbying in Italy, focusing on firm‐level factors that influence lobbying expenditures and participation in European climate policy discussions. Given rising pressure from governments and stakeholders for sustainable practices, corporate lobbying plays a crucial role in shaping European climate policies. Using an unbalanced panel dataset of Italian firms from 2011 to 2023, we employ advanced econometric methods and AI‐supported textual analysis to explore lobbying dynamics. The findings indicate that firm revenue is a key driver of lobbying intensity, with larger firms investing more in lobbying activities and engaging more frequently in climate‐related discussions. Additionally, regional differences and company size significantly affect lobbying behaviors, highlighting the role of financial resources and institutional context in shaping firms' climate policy engagement. In this, the research contributes to the limited EU‐focused literature on corporate lobbying, providing valuable insights into Italy's unique lobbying landscape and its implications for climate governance.