Why Businesses Must Influence Policy to Succeed in Climate Tech – with Chris Moyer, Founder of EchoComms.

Policy isn’t just a government affair - it’s your business strategy. In this eye-opening episode of Pricing For The Planet, host Fabien Cros is joined by Chris Moyer, founder of Echo Communications Advisors, to unpack why every business working on sustainability, energy, or climate tech must engage with public policy now - not later.

Whether you’re a founder, investor, or executive, this episode will change the way you think about stakeholder mapping, go-to-market, and risk mitigation.

🚨 Why You Should Listen

✅ You’re missing a stakeholder. Most startups focus on customers, partners, and investors - but forget policymakers, regulators, and local officials who can either unlock your growth or quietly block your path.

✅ Policy shapes markets. The most influential climate entrepreneurs today don’t just ride regulation - they help shape it. And that gives them a strategic moat.

✅ Silence is dangerous. If you don’t tell your story to decision-makers, someone else will—often with inaccurate or hostile narratives that erode public and political support.

🧠 Key Learnings from the Episode

1. Policy is proactive, not reactive

“Don’t wait until the law threatens your business - start building relationships when you don’t need anything.”

2. Regulation can be a growth lever

Chris shares how companies that actively engaged in the policy process secured favorable tax credits, gained first-mover advantages, and scaled faster.

3. Storytelling wins legislation

Funding rounds, job creation milestones, clean energy breakthroughs - all are political capital. Know how to use them with mayors, governors, and senators.

4. Messaging matters more than ever

Climate framing is shifting: today, you must align with values like energy independence, price reduction, and American manufacturing strength to resonate politically—even if your core mission is still climate resilience.

5. Start local, scale up

You don’t need to start in Washington. Your local mayor, council, or governor may be your most powerful ally—and your fastest route to impact.

6. Be part of your industry’s voice

If you can’t go it alone, join (or start) a trade group or coalition to advocate for your sector and protect your long-term interests.

7. Time constraints are real—but manageable

Chris offers pragmatic advice on how time-strapped leaders can engage effectively without being political insiders, including how his firm supports that process.

8. The U.S. policy landscape is volatile—plan accordingly

Rapid swings in regulation (especially between presidential terms) mean companies need to understand and anticipate legislative risk—not just climate risk.

9. Europe vs. U.S.: A tale of two systems

Chris compares the European regulatory depth with the U.S. political unpredictability—arguing that certainty, not light regulation, is the real competitive advantage.

Follow Chris on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrismoyerecho

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