Bending the Arc

The work of engaging with companies through socially responsible investment is often a multi-year process of dialogue and engagement. It requires diplomacy, patience, commitment, and perseverance. Corporate engagement and proxy voting affect lasting changes that are beneficial to people and the planet for generations to come. 

As You Sow is the nation’s leading shareholder advocacy nonprofit, with a 30+ year history of advancing solutions that create win-win solutions at some of the biggest companies on Earth. They share from the impact that they have had this year. 

• Amazon replaced 95% of its plastic air pillows with 100% recycled content.
• Citigroup agreed to disclose the climate transition progress of its energy and power clients.
• Keurig Dr Pepper announced a new plastic-free coffee pod.
• Hormel agreed to form a new industry working group to advance circular packaging policy.
• International Paper agreed to adopt the Nature-related Financial Disclosures framework.

The Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility has been active since 1971 in promoting the shared values of justice, equity, and belief in the right to a level playing field where everyone can achieve their full potential. This year ICCR reached agreements for eighty-four proposals. The majority of these are centered on climate change and racial justice.

Seventh Generation Interfaith, located in Milwaukee, is concerned with a myriad of social, environmental, and corporate issues, including climate change, labor conditions in the clothing industry, and responsible sourcing. They list their issues as:

• Climate crisis – science-based targets, deforestation, methane emissions
• Corporate governance – lobbying & political spending, pay disparity, separation of board chair and CEO.
• Food justice – sustainable agriculture & forestry, access to nutrition, food wastes, antibiotics
• Health equity – healthcare access & affordability, affordability of medicines, youth smoking, e-cigarettes
• Human rights – human trafficking, responsible sourcing, immigration justice, tobacco workers, fair chance hiring 

The Sisters of St. Agnes were once members of ICCR and Seventh Generation Interfaith. Seventh Generation was originally a group of religious communities brought together by Fr. Michael Crosby, OFM Cap for the work of socially responsible investing. CSA still sponsors their annual conference and continues its commitment to sustainable investment in collaboration with its financial manager.