In the news

Based on research provided by ARIA, Politico revealed how conservative Member of the European Parliament, Alexandr Vondra (from the European Conservatives and Reformists Group, a national conservative political group), failed to disclose ties with the automotive and defense industry,while shaping EU defense and car rules. The case triggered a formal complaint by Transparency International and other NGOs on this undeclared conflict of interest.

Using a combination of commodity tracking software, data from independent pollution monitoring experts, and extensive interviews with on-the-ground campaigners, journalists and community members, ARIA shone a light on the cost of global steel production: thousands of people living under the dusty coal clouds of explosive mines – destroying crops, impacting health, homes and livelihoods. ARIA traced shipments of dirty coal from a private mine in Moatize, in Mozambique, to the steel factories of ArcerolMittal in France and Hyundai in South Korea.

Using documents obtained by ARIA via Freedom of Information request, including some that were rejected by the European Commission, and further guidance on corporate and State lobbying against the EU Methane Regulation, Euronews revealed a trail of opacity around ongoing conversations between the US and the EU regarding the fate of this crucial green legislation. 

Using research and documents acquired by ARIA, the FT revealed that the EU’s Chemicals Agency had retained Ramboll to shape its new PFAS rules at the same time that the consulting firm was also working with chemical industry groups on submissions to influence these regulations and call for exemptions.

Using documents obtained by ARIA, Politico revealed how a US LNG lobbyist has successfully leveraged diplomatic channels in Central and Eastern Europe to advance the US Government’s goal of achieving energy dominance by pushing to weaken EU regulations on methane and selling more fracked gas to Europe.

The Guardian used research and court documents obtained by ARIA to reveal how Italy’s oil and gas giant Eni has filed at least six defamation lawsuits against journalists and environmental NGOs since 2019, in what campaigners describe as an intimidation strategy.

An investigation by ARIA and Centre for Climate Reporting published in the Guardian revealed the identities of thousands of entities connected to the management consulting firm McKinsey for the first time, highlighting the firm’s extensive ties to the fossil fuel industry.

Play the Game investigated the credibility of Aramco’s environmental claims in light of its deal to sponsor FIFA. ARIA assessed the quality of the carbon credits purchased by the company, and provided details of its plan to offset its emissions and the potential pitfalls of this approach to environmental sustainability.

The Financial Times, based on research provided by ARIA, shows how some of the biggest European steel producers are on track to miss their climate targets despite having secured billions of Euros in public subsidies in recent years.

ARIA coordinated a cross-border investigation into conflicts of interest among Members of the European Parliament’s 10th legislature. The investigation highlighted a growing number of side jobs among newly elected MEPs and revealed clear conflict of interest cases.

ARIA collaborated with Le Monde to investigate the ambiguities of France’s economic diplomacy when it comes to supporting TotalEnergies in its expansion into foreign markets like Uganda and Mozambique, with a particular focus on revolving doors between French diplomacy and TotalEnergies.

ARIA provided documentary evidence on MEPs’ second jobs and how they could raise risks of conflicts of interest and impact their legislative decision-making. The story fed into debates around reforming parliamentary transparency and integrity rules after the Qatargate scandal.