Dear U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator and Members of Congress, In November 2020, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) rejected the proposed Pebble Mine permit application after determining that its development would “cause unavoidable adverse impacts” to aquatic resources and would result in “significant degradation” to aquatic resources.  The Corps concluded that the mine as proposed “cannot be permitted under section 404 of the Clean Water Act,” and it would be “contrary to the public interest.” Now that the Corps has rejected the proposed Pebble Mine, Bristol Bay Native Tribes, commercial fishermen, business leaders, conservation organizations, and others are …

In the Fall of 2020, following a Bankrate survey which found that Blacks and Hispanics reported facing higher monthly fees, including overdraft fees, than white customers typically do, Trillium filed a shareholder proposal asking KeyCorp to look at its overdraft program with a racial justice lens. We were concerned because in 2019, KeyBank collected over $148 million in overdraft and insufficient funds fees – representing over 7% of its non-interest income and 44% of its service charge income – and we could see the potential for some disproportionate impacts on communities of color. While the company had racial justice programs …

By Susan Baker, Elizabeth Saunders, Mike Schade, and Kayla Williams Last month, TJX—the parent company of TJ Maxx, Marshall’s, Home Goods, and Sierra Trading Post— announced on its website it is developing an expanded “Chemical Management” strategy. The new program, which follows more than three years of advocacy by the Mind the Store campaign, Clean Water Action, Trillium Asset Management, First Affirmative Financial Network, and the Investor Environmental Health Network, takes an important step forward towards protecting customers, workers, and the environment from toxic chemical exposure, and paves the way for future action. Highlights of TJX’s new chemical management strategy …

On Thursday, February 4th we hosted our 2021 Market and Advocacy Outlook webinar. The discussion included: Resilience Wanted – how do we ‘build back better’ as economic activity resumes? Equity Market Outlook – shifting from expectations to earnings Asset Allocation – how does the lower interest rate environment impact the balanced portfolio approach? Advocacy and Public Policy – an update on the shareholder engagement landscape and our priorities for 2021 Speakers: Cheryl Smith, PhD, CFA, Economist, Portfolio Manager Jonas Kron, Esq., Chief Advocacy Officer Lisa Hayles, Investment Manager, Moderator Will Lana, CFA, Investment Manager Listen to the webinar replay here.  This recording does not include the complete Q&A section from the …

For decades Trillium has been encouraging companies to provide comprehensive workforce diversity disclosures (ideally the EEO-1 table), because (1) the evidence shows that companies with diverse workforces are significantly more likely to be better financial performers and (2) diverse and inclusive workplaces are important to individuals, families, communities, and society. In 2019, because Marriott was not disclosing comprehensive workforce diversity data Trillium filed a shareholder proposal to encourage a change at the company. Our position was widely supported and when it went to a vote in the spring of 2020, it received 30% of the vote (and more than 42% …

For years, residents of Detroit’s Tri-Cities area, which is predominantly Black and low income, with a growing Hispanic population, pointed to the Marathon Petroleum refinery for releasing cancer causing chemicals into the air they breathed. Those concerns were heightened in 2019 when a malfunction of the Detroit refinery coker flare gas system resulted in releases of hydrogen sulfide and mercaptan compounds into the community releasing strong odors, causing residents to experience a number of illnesses. Thirteen documented violations of air permits and the Clean Air Act over six years at this same facility were the focus of a Congressional field …

Trillium is thrilled to be named among the 2021 Impact Award winners designating the firm as a ‘2021 Real Leaders Top Impact Company’. ‍ Real Leaders “Top Impact Companies” Award 2021 The Real Leaders “Top Impact Companies” award is not indicative of the future performance of Trillium Asset Management. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. The Real Leaders Impact Awards rank nominated companies based on their Force for Good score, 3-year x revenue x growth. Trillium ranked #57 of 150 companies. Real Leaders reviewed applications from over 1,000 companies. The Real Leaders Impact Awards require applicants to pay …

For decades, Trillium has opposed Arctic drilling for oil and gas. Not only would it accelerate climate change, but it is opposed by the Gwich’in people who have lived in the region for thousands of years and depend on the health of the ecosystem for their way of life. A critical link in the chain of any effort to drill in the Arctic is the banks that may finance the exploration and production. The bank support or rejection are also important signals from the business community and possible indication of a loss of social licence. Which is why Trillium pressed …