Shareholders will vote today on a proposal at Intuit asking for a report describing how the company is protecting employees from climate risk embedded in its retirement plan investment options. In a rapidly warming world, this proposal from shareholder representative As You Sow asks a critical question about how Intuit plans to protect its employees’ life savings from the economic consequences of climate change.
Read MoreTesla and General Motors shareholders are calling for a deep-sea mining commitment in two novel biodiversity proposals filed by As You Sow. Tesla and General Motors have yet to state their position on the issue in stark opposition to peers BMW, Volvo, Volkswagen, Rivian, and Renault. As world leaders and economic titans gather at Davos, biodiversity protection and the risks of deep-sea mining are topics of growing importance.
Read MoreAs You Sow filed a first-of-its-kind shareholder proposal on Friday asking U.S. tobacco giant Altria to assess and take responsibility for the collection and cleanup costs of trillions of discarded plastic cigarette filters. Used cigarette filters are the most littered form of plastic on the planet, with an estimated marine ecosystem and waste management cost of $26 billion per year.
Read MoreAT&T released a Political Congruency Report on Friday providing standard-setting disclosure on its political spending. AT&T committed to release this report as part of a withdrawal agreement with As You Sow on a shareholder resolution last April.
Read MoreAs You Sow today released “Capturing the Diversity Benefit: Workforce Diversity Linked to Financial Performance.” This comprehensive, landmark report reveals a statistically significant correlation between higher percentages of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) management and increases in eight standard financial metrics. Key findings add meaningful insight to a growing body of evidence linking financial benefits to a diverse management team, making a clear business and investor case for diversity as a material factor in financial success.
Read MoreShareholders today will vote on proposals at Microsoft and Campbell's asking for a report describing how the companies are protecting employees from climate risk embedded in their retirement plan investment options. A
Read MoreToday, TIME named Danielle Fugere, As You Sow’s president and chief counsel, on the inaugural “TIME100 Climate” list, which recognizes the 100 most innovative leaders driving business climate action. With 30 years of experience spearheading innovative and effective climate strategies to positively influence corporate action, she joins an accomplished roster of climate leaders.
Read MoreAs You Sow today released its 10th “100 Most Overpaid CEOs” list linking excessive CEO Pay to corporate performance.
Read MoreAs You Sow released its third “Pesticides in the Pantry” report today, ranking 17 major food manufacturing companies on their progress in pesticide reduction and the adoption of regenerative agricultural practices.
Read MoreAs You Sow released its second annual Road to Zero Emissions Report today grading the largest 100 U.S. companies on their progress toward net zero. Compared to last year’s report, 66% of the companies improved their overall grade. However, many still lack value-chain (Scope 3) emissions disclosure and actions demonstrating progress in achieving the emissions reductions necessary to align with global 1.5°C goals.
Read MoreAs You Sow, the nation’s leading shareholder advocate, today received a subpoena from the House Judiciary Committee demanding the organization provide documents related to its work with companies related to climate risk. This follows an Aug. 1 letter from the Committee arguing that “As You Sow is potentially violating U.S. antitrust law by entering into agreements to ‘decarbonize’ corporate assets and reduce emissions to net zero — with potentially harmful effects on Americans’ freedom and economic well-being.” The Committee sent similar letters to Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS), Glass Lewis, Engine No.1, Trillium Asset Management, Arjuna Capital, and Aviva Investor Americas.
Read MoreA new analysis from As You Sow of the Federal Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), which manages $725 billion in retirement savings for six million participants, found over $35 billion invested in coal, oil, and gas companies. Just ten oil and gas majors, including Exxon Mobil, Chevron, and ConocoPhillips, account for $9.7 billion invested.
Read MoreCalifornia Governor Gavin Newsom signed the nation’s most sweeping electronics device repair legislation, SB 244, into law on Tuesday. Under the bill, manufacturers will be required to facilitate the repair of covered consumer electronics – including computers – by making certain tools and parts available to consumers and repair shops for at least seven years after production. The bill was supported by Apple and HP, yet opposed by device manufacturer trade associations, including the Consumer Technology Association.
Read MoreToday, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) published new rules to prevent misleading or deceptive use of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) terms in mutual fund names. The new rules modernize the Investment Company Act “Names Rule” to ensure that the name of a fund adequately and accurately represents the investment strategy of the fund, as part of the SEC’s efforts to fight greenwashing in the sustainable investment industry.
Read MoreFedEx shareholders will vote on a proposal at the September 21 annual general meeting asking the company to report on how it is protecting employees from climate risk stemming from their retirement plan investment options. This proposal represents a growing concern among employees about the risks of investing retirement dollars in industries that contribute significantly to climate change.
Read MoreUnited Autoworkers of America (UAW) last night announced plans for targeted, stand-up strikes in three states against Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler after negotiations fell through. Shrinking the widening gap between CEO pay and workers' pay in years marked by record-breaking profits has been central to UAW’s demands.
Read MoreThe California State Legislature passed SB 253 yesterday, which would require Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions disclosures from all companies operating in California with more than $1 billion in revenue. SB 253 now heads to the Governor for signature.
Read MoreThe Proxy Preview team today reviewed results from the 2023 proxy season during its 2023 Proxy Preview REVIEW webinar. The season saw 335 votes on shareholder proposals asking for disclosure and action on environmental, social, and related corporate governance (ESG) issues at U.S. companies. More than two dozen proposals are still pending.
Read MoreAmazon reported a significant drop in plastic use last year and will phase out plastic mailers, actions sought by As You Sow in dialogue and through the filing of shareholder proposals over the last three years.
Read MoreA new analysis from As You Sow has found that the largest U.S. mutual fund managers, responsible for funds found across thousands of corporate 401(k) plans, have significant investments in nuclear and other controversial weapons like white phosphorus and cluster bombs.
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