Help us Defend the Rights of Companies and Investors
The economic effects of climate change are estimated to cost $178 trillion over the next 50 years. This poses an enormous problem for businesses and the larger economy but also creates opportunities to invest in businesses and industries preparing for long-term market trends.
Investors and companies focused on long term success must be able to consider all types of risks and opportunities, including those posed by climate change.
However, some politicians and special interest groups are trying to stop businesses and investors from considering the financial impacts of climate change and other important issues.
Congress is considering several bills that would make it harder for investors to provide oversight over companies’ efforts to identify and mitigate climate-related risks. These laws would put strict rules on how people who own and manage investments can vote, ultimately limiting how freely the market can operate.
HR 4790 would allow companies to only disclose information to the Securities and Exchange Commission that they deem material, allowing companies to leave out vital information on how they are managing climate risks. HR 5337 restricts shareholder advocacy to profit-focused actions.
Restricting the free market
HR 4655 would grant companies discretion to withhold shareholder proposals, reducing corporate accountability. HR 5338 would ban identity considerations for retirement fund personnel. Many investors view diversity as an important aspect of good corporate governance and risk management.
Obscuring corporate governance
HR 4767 would place strict limits on proxy voting by asset owners and managers, upending the free market and creating barriers to maximizing investment returns.
