Shareholders’ Demands for Action on Environment Higher Than Ever

At least 14 energy companies are facing shareholder resolutions on environmental and social policies this year, part of a record push by investors to raise concerns about how executives manage the issues.

More than 190 resolutions have been proposed this year, up 88 percent since 2011 when Ceres, a Boston-based coalition of investors with more than $13 trillion in assets, began collecting the data.  Exxon Mobil Corp., Royal Dutch Shell Plc., Total SA, Chevron Corp. and Eni SpA are among the major oil companies targeted, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

The findings reflect uncertainty among investors about how management is addressing climate change as governments show more concern about the issue, said Gregory Elders, an environmental, social and governance analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence.

“There’s a contingent of investors who are worried about climate change, methane emissions, water pollution and other issues,” Elders said in London after publishing the research on Friday.  “Companies realize they have to take more concrete action and to do more than just talk about the issues.”

More than half the resolutions pressure management to identify risks associated with climate change, rein in greenhouse gases or assess methane emissions.  Shareholders also are seeking more reporting on water pollution, sustainability issues, and a link between executive compensation and environmental practices.

Read more at Shareholders’ Demands for Action on Environment Higher Then Ever