A Conversation on ESG and Sustainability With As You Sow CEO Andrew Behar

Andrew Behar is the CEO of As You Sow and the author of The Shareholder Action Guide. He is also a member of the board of US Social Investing Forum (US SIF) and is a member of the UN Sustainable Stock Exchange Green Finance Advisory Group. In this interview, Motley Fool analysts Maria Gallagher and John Rotonti chat with Behar about sustainability, corporate responsibility, and ESG investing.

The Motley Fool: Can you please tell our readers about As You Sow? What is your mission, your vision, and what do you do?

Andrew Behar: As You Sow is a nonprofit organization that since 1992 has been a leader in moving corporations to become more responsible on a broad range of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues. Our theory of change states that corporate power has become the most dominant force on the planet, and to achieve our vision of a safe, just, and sustainable world for all, we MUST engage corporations to be part of the solution by shifting their policies and practices to reduce risk. As You Sow is effective in creating change because corporations have a legal duty to their shareholders. We use this legal standing to advocate as shareholders for the benefit of all stakeholders including employees, customers, communities where the company operates, ecosystems, the planet, and of course shareholders. We believe that this stakeholder-centric vision of capitalism in fact optimizes benefit for the company and shareholders. As You Sow believes that this is one of the most powerful paths for creating positive, lasting changes to achieve a safe, just, and sustainable world for all. Read Full Article, The Motely Fool, July, 25th 2019