Publish What You Pay
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| Publish What You Pay | |
|---|---|
| Name | Publish What You Pay |
| Formation | 2002 |
| Type | Non-governmental organization |
| Headquarters | London |
| Region served | Global |
Publish What You Pay
Publish What You Pay is an international advocacy coalition focused on transparency in extractive industries and corporate reporting, founded to promote financial disclosure by multinational oil, gas and mining firms. The coalition engages with civil society networks, multinational corporations, national legislatures and international institutions to advance disclosure standards and accountability in resource-rich countries. It operates through country coalitions, global campaigns and partnerships with organizations working on anti-corruption, development finance and human rights.
History
The initiative emerged after a 2000s campaign linked to calls from activists following events like the Bretton Woods conference, reactions to scandals involving firms such as Royal Dutch Shell, debates in the European Parliament and pressure from non-governmental organizations including Transparency International, Amnesty International, Oxfam and Global Witness. Founding discussions involved figures from World Bank Group, representatives from donor governments such as United Kingdom, Norway and United States, and civil society actors associated with networks like ActionAid, Christian Aid and CAFOD. Early milestones included advocacy around the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative and engagement with legislative processes in bodies such as the European Union and the United States Congress. Over time the coalition grew to include national chapters influenced by reform efforts in countries like Nigeria, Angola, Kazakhstan and Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Objectives and Campaigns
The coalition's objectives include promoting transparency, combating corruption and improving public oversight by securing mandatory project-level reporting by companies such as BP, ExxonMobil, Glencore, Rio Tinto and Chevron. Campaigns have targeted policy tools including country-by-country reporting, project-level payments, and public beneficial ownership registers advocated before institutions like the International Monetary Fund, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the European Commission and the United Nations. Major campaigns have intersected with movements led by groups such as Friends of the Earth, Sierra Club, Greenpeace and Human Rights Watch, and have sought alignment with legal instruments like the Dodd–Frank Act provisions, the EU Accounting Directive and the UK Companies Act amendments.
Structure and Governance
The coalition is organized as a network with an international secretariat, national coalitions and partner organizations, coordinating strategy between offices in cities linked to institutions like London, Brussels, Washington, D.C. and Johannesburg. Governance involves boards, steering committees and convenors drawn from civil society organizations such as Publish What You Pay France affiliates, representatives from Open Government Partnership coalitions, and advisors with experience at institutions like the World Bank and the International Finance Corporation. Leadership models reflect practices seen in NGOs like Save the Children, CARE International and InterAction, balancing donor relations with membership input and involving alliances with auditors and researchers connected to universities like University of Oxford and Columbia University.
Impact and Criticism
Advocates credit the coalition with influencing legislation and standards, contributing to outcomes in the European Parliament debates, the passage of the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act provisions, amendments to the UK Bribery Act context and the mainstreaming of transparency in initiatives like the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative. Critics, including commentators from outlets such as The Economist and policy analysts from think tanks like Chatham House, Brookings Institution and Heritage Foundation, argue progress is uneven, pointing to limitations in enforcement in countries like Nigeria and Russia and disputes with corporations including TotalEnergies and Glencore over compliance and reporting scope. Debates also reference litigation trends illustrated by cases in jurisdictions such as United States Court of Appeals and legislative rollbacks in parliaments like those of Hungary and Poland.
Member Organizations and Partnerships
Membership spans national coalitions, international NGOs and advocacy networks including Transparency International, Global Witness, Oxfam International, ActionAid, Amnesty International and regional partners such as Africa Centre for Energy Policy, Publish What You Pay Nigeria and Publish What You Pay Uganda. Strategic partnerships extend to institutional actors like the World Bank Group, the International Monetary Fund, the European Commission and donor agencies such as Department for International Development and United States Agency for International Development. Collaborations also engage research institutes and universities including London School of Economics, Stanford University and policy centres like Center for Global Development.
Legal and Policy Influence
The coalition has been active in shaping standards reflected in instruments like the EU Accounting Directive, the Dodd–Frank Act Section 1504 debates, and guidance from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development on due diligence and reporting. It has submitted evidence to legislative committees in bodies such as the United Kingdom Parliament, the European Parliament committees, and the United States Congress hearings, while engaging with multilateral initiatives including the Open Government Partnership and the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative reforms. The coalition's advocacy has intersected with corporate governance debates in contexts related to laws such as the UK Companies Act 2006 and regulatory regimes overseen by authorities like the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Funding and Financial Transparency
Funding sources include grants from philanthropic foundations such as Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation associates, support from government donors including agencies from Norway, United Kingdom and Sweden, and project funding from trusts linked to organizations like Ford Foundation and Rockefeller Foundation. The coalition publishes financial statements and annual reports consistent with practices recommended by audit bodies and standards referenced by institutions like International Federation of Accountants and advisory groups at Charity Commission for England and Wales; however, discussions continue about donor influence and independence raised by commentators in outlets like Financial Times and Reuters.