PepsiCo – Pesticide Pollution (2017)
Numerous studies document the correlation between pesticide exposure and increased cancer risk. According to the U.S. President’s Cancer Panel, approximately forty chemicals found in EPA-registered pesticides are classified as “known, probable, or possible” carcinogens. In July 2016, scientists and health providers released a scientific Consensus Statement as a national call to action to reduce exposures to chemicals including pesticides. Practices such as applying glyphosate to crops before harvesting—a protocol that makes harvesting easier but may result in increased pesticide residues on crops—are raising concerns. In 2016, the Food and Drug Administration announced that it planned to begin testing for glyphosate …
EOG Resources – Methane Reduction (2017)
Resolved: Shareholders request EOG Resources (EOG) adopt time-bound, quantitative, company-wide goals for reducing methane emissions and issue a report, at reasonable cost and omitting proprietary information, on its plans to achieve these goals. Whereas: Methane, the primary component of natural gas, is a greenhouse gas (GHG) with over 80 times the climate impact of carbon dioxide over a 20-year period. Methane emissions from the oil and gas industry constitute the largest industrial source of methane emissions in the U.S. In 2015, EOG’s methane emissions intensity rate was 0.55%. ONE Future (members include peer companies Apache, Hess, and Southwestern), an EPA …
Marathon Petroleum – Environmental & Human Rights (2017)
WHEREAS: The construction and operation of energy infrastructure in North America requires respect for rigorous standards of environmental review and practice, and impacted Indigenous Peoples. Environmental and human rights due diligence are essential to assessing the full risk of an asset acquisition. Where such risks are not adequately considered, decisions can be made that lead to reputational, regulatory and financial loss. The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples sets out international standards for Indigenous Peoples’ rights including the right to Free, Prior, and Informed Consent prior to the approval of any projects affecting their traditional territory. Human rights …
UPS – Renewable Energy (2017)
Whereas: To limit the average global temperature increase to well below 2 degrees Centigrade, a goal shared by nearly every nation, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) estimates that the United States needs to reduce annual GHG emissions approximately 80 percent. This will involve a significant shift to renewable energy. Costs of generating electricity from sources like wind and solar have been declining rapidly and are influencing companies’ response to climate change. The EPA currently lists 80 Fortune 500 companies as purchasing renewable energy (or certificates). UPS has committed to purchase up to 60 million gallons of renewable diesel …
Bank of America – Fossil Fuel Financing (2017)
Whereas: Climate change is a global challenge that continues to gain widespread attention for its numerous, significant environmental, economic, and social impacts. Most notably, in December 2015, political leaders from 195 nations signed an agreement in Paris to limit global temperature rise to below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, ideally striving to limit warming to 1.5°C. This agreement entered into force in November, 2016. Bank of America (BAC) pledged support for a strong outcome in Paris as a founding signatory to the American Business Act on Climate and subsequently lauded the outcome – in its 2015 ESG Report BAC states: “…we …
Tractor Supply Company – Environment – Emissions and Climate – 2017
Resolved: Shareholders request the Tractor Supply Company adopt quantitative, time-bound, company-wide, science-based goals for reducing total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from products and operations, and issue a report at reasonable cost and omitting proprietary information, on its plans to achieve these goals. Whereas: In order to mitigate the worst impacts of climate change, the IPCC estimates that a 50 percent reduction in GHG emissions globally is needed by 2050 (relative to 1990 levels) to stabilize global temperatures, entailing a U.S. target reduction of 80 percent The costs of failing to address climate change are significant and according to a …
A. O. Smith Corporation – Sustainability Reporting (2017)
RESOLVED: Shareholders request that A.O. Smith Corporation (AOS) issue a report describing the company’s policies, quantitative metrics, and improvement targets related to environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues, including greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This report should be updated annually, be prepared at reasonable cost, and omit proprietary information. WHEREAS: Proponents believe tracking and reporting ESG practices strengthens a company’s ability to compete in today’s global business environment, which is characterized by finite natural resources, changing legislation, and heightened public expectations for corporate accountability. Transparent, substantive reporting allows companies to capture value from existing sustainability efforts, identify gaps and opportunities, develop …
Whole Foods Market – Food Waste (2017)
Whereas: 40% of food produced in the U.S. goes uneaten, costing the American economy $218 billion per year, or 1.3% of GDP. Food decomposing in landfills emits approximately 23% of U.S. methane emissions, a greenhouse gas 84 times as potent as CO2. Production of uneaten food consumes 21% of U.S. freshwater, 19% of fertilizer and 18% of cropland. If global food waste were a country, its emissions would be 3rd, behind only China and the United States. Nearly 50 million Americans, including 16 million children, are food insecure; reducing food waste by just 15% could feed 25 million people every …
Costco – Food Waste (2017)
Whereas: 40% of food produced in the U.S. goes uneaten every year, costing the U.S. economy $218 billion, or 1.3% of GDP. Approximately 23% of U.S. methane emissions (a greenhouse gas 80 times as potent as CO2) result from food decomposing in landfills. Production of uneaten food consumes 21% of freshwater, 19% of fertilizer and 18% of cropland. Globally, if food waste were a country, its emissions would rank 3rd. Food recovery programs can help feed the nearly 50 million food insecure Americans. Wasted food presents financial opportunities; various retailers are implementing programs to save some of the $57 billion …
J.M. Smucker Company – Renewable Energy (2016)
Resolved: Shareholders request The J.M. Smucker Company Board of Directors, issue a public report, at reasonable cost and excluding confidential information, by January 2017 analyzing and proposing how the company can increase its renewable energy sourcing and/or production. Whereas: In order to mitigate the worst impacts of climate change, the IPCC estimates a U.S. greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction requirement of 80 percent by 2050. The private sector is critical for driving the change in the demand and consumption of clean energy necessary to meet these targets. Although energy efficiency is crucial for reducing emissions, there is a limit to how …
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