Analysis Finds Climate Change, Chemical Toxins Top Shareholder Concerns

Climate change and efforts to reduce chemical toxins were some of the most frequent issues addressed in proxy shareholder resolutions filed this year, according to an analysis by the Social Investment Forum, which promotes socially responsible investing. Only requests for corporations to disclose their political contributions were more frequent—with 43 resolutions filed in 2006—while 32 resolutions on climate change and 22 on toxic chemicals in products were filed during the same period. Of the 32 climate-related resolutions, 12 were withdrawn after companies made significant concessions to petitioners, according to the analysis. The toxics-related resolutions called on companies to “detoxify products, reduce chemical hazards or curb pollution,” the analysis says.

News article taken from Inside Green Business, April 26, 2006