The Russian war of aggression against Ukraine has already resulted in more than 69,000 Russian war crimes and crimes of aggression registered by the Office of Prosecutor General of Ukraine. In addition, 18,900 Ukrainians have been killed or injured, and millions more have been forced to flee their homes. With this humanitarian crisis, investor concerns have grown about the human rights risks faced by companies with operations and/or value chain activities in conflict-affected and high-risk areas
Read moreBig Oil Tax Dodging, Transparency and Standards
This year, Oxfam America and co-filers have filed a series of new tax transparency proposals at extractive industry giants ExxonMobil, Chevron and ConocoPhillips, requesting that the companies disclose country-by-country financial information in line with Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards. This disclosure would reveal key insights for investors seeking to evaluate a company’s risk profile, including information surrounding revenues, profits, losses and tax payments.
Read moreIndependent Audits Can Further Worker Health and Safety
Safety at work is a bare minimum for workers’ dignity. Yet, far too often, it is at risk. In June 2022, the International Labor Organization (ILO) recognized a safe and healthy work environment as a universal labor right, adding it to the core ILO fundamental principles of rights at work.
Read moreSupporting Workers' Right to Freedom of Association
The New York City Retirement Systems (NYCRS) submitted shareholder proposals at seven companies to safeguard workers’ freedom of association and collective bargaining rights, which are defined as fundamental human rights under internationally recognized human rights standards.
Read moreWar on ESG Highlights the Need for Lobbying Disclosure
For 2023, proponents have filed at least 30 proposals asking for lobbying disclosure reports that include federal and state lobbying amounts, payments to trade associations and 501(c)(4) social welfare groups used for lobbying, and payments to tax-exempt organizations that write and endorse model legislation.
Read moreMisalignment Between Company Reproductive Health Policies And Influence Spending
Reproductive rights are on the line this year as the U.S. Supreme Court considers a direct challenge to Roe v. Wade, the landmark decision protecting the right to access abortion without excessive government restriction. Should Roe be overturned or gravely weakened, as is widely anticipated, as many as 26 states are poised to ban abortion completely within their borders.
Read moreGrowing Support for Racial Justice Audits
Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR) members have a long history of supporting calls for diversity and justice, including respect for the rights of Indigenous Peoples and addressing the negative impacts of policies and practices on communities of color.
Read moreChanging Corporate Attitudes on Racial Justice
After George Floyd’s murder in May 2020, stakeholders in public companies asked management and boards what they could do about racial injustice. Without any metrics to define best practices and separate leaders from laggards, there was no way to measure and therefore manage this critical social issue.
Read moreA Model Code for Companies to Govern Their Political Spending
As the 2022 proxy season unfolds, there’s good news and concerning news about companies and their political spending. Which wins out – greater control over political spending or a return to “business as usual” – will affect how companies fare as shareholders pay even closer attention to what they do with their political money and how it aligns with their values and positions.
Read moreMcDonald's Breaks Animal Welfare Pledge - Now Faces Board Battle
On February 20, 2022, McDonald’s confirmed that Carl Icahn nominated both Maisie Ganzler and me for the company’s board of directors in response to McDonald’s failure to meet a public pledge it made ten years ago to end the egregiously cruel and controversial practice of pig gestation crates by this year.
Read moreSecret Influence: Astroturfing Sways Public Policy
Lobbying by companies can provide governments with valuable insights and data for public policy making, yet only 8 percent of the world’s 1,000 largest companies report their spending on lobbying to investors.
Read morePipeline Finance and Respect for Indigenous Rights
Oil is already flowing through the Enbridge Line 3 tar sands pipeline, a project that has been subject to several years of protest, litigation, and opposition led by Indigenous Peoples and Indigenous-led organizations.
Read moreMandatory Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence Is Good for Investors and Business
When done responsibly, business can be a driving force for prosperity and inclusive economic development. Yet, far too often, companies in many different sectors harm people and planet in their operations or value chains.
Read moreData Transparency Key to Improving Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace
As the great resignation rages on and businesses struggle to retain top talent, shareholders argue that more transparency about diversity and inclusion data will help companies drive need advancements in social and racial equity. Some 65 shareholder proposals this year seek information on decent work, and another four dozen ask for workforce diversity data.
Read moreTechnology Transfer Needed to End COVID-19 Vaccine Inequity
Oxfam and co-filers have filed shareholder proposals at Moderna and Pfizer asking the companies to study how they might transfer Covid-19 vaccine technology and know-how to manufacturers in low- and middle-income countries. The companies’ refusal to transfer mRNA technology is prolonging the Covid-19 pandemic.
Read moreConcealing Harassment and Discrimination Claims Hinders Diversity Efforts
In 2020, after George Floyd’s murder, we monitored many of the CEO statements and company pledges to support the Black Lives Matter movement and to increase their diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. Now, in 2022, employees and investors want to see real progress on these pledges.
Read moreFinding the Balance Between Child Safety and Internet Privacy
Online child sexual exploitation is a global crisis that is growing at an exponential rate. Yet efforts to promote online child safety and privacy have met strong opposition from privacy and human rights proponents. Child safety and internet privacy do not have to conflict, even though advocates on each side seem to be at odds.
Read moreIncreased Oversight of Surveillance Technology Can Reduce Systemic Racism
The U.S. economy is deeply rooted in structural racism and was founded on the exploitation and enslavement of Black Americans and displacement of Indigenous tribes from their land. Now more than ever, investors must recognize our responsibility in this harmful system and leverage investments to advance racial justice in all forms. Following worldwide racial justice uprisings in 2020, many companies took to social media to support the Black Lives Matter movement.
Read moreCorporations Should Invest in Community – Not Policing
The police killing of George Floyd brought pervasive racial inequality to the national forefront. Attention turned to policing tactics and policies that cause harm in communities of color and re-entrench racial inequity – and companies took notice. Many corporations expressed solidarity with the Black community and committed to address racial inequality. Despite this, many continue partnerships with law enforcement and remain complicit in practices that further criminalize communities of color.
Read moreCan Insurance Companies Help Prevent Racist Police Brutality?
Protests admonishing the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Black Americans at the hands of police defined 2020, second only to the 100-year global pandemic. The moral imperative for police reform is clear, but investors are considering the financial imperative, as well. Thousands of police misconduct lawsuits are filed annually – which cost taxpayers over $300 million in 2019. But what about the private insurance companies that back these municipal police departments? How are they responding to the Black Lives Matter movement and calls for reform?
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