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Shareholder activism on environmental issues: A study of proposals at large US corporations (2000–2003)

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  • Robert Monks
  • Anthony Miller
  • Jacqueline Cook

Abstract

Socially Responsible Investing (SRI) has carved out a niche in the financial world, and each year a large number of shareholder proposals are filed at public companies in the US related to issues of corporate social responsibility (CSR). While the primary interests of CSR activists remain distinct from those of traditional corporate governance (CG) activists, the two groups do share an interest in minimizing the risk of negative environmental or social impacts from the operations of the corporation. They also share the objective of achieving transparency and accountability in corporate decision‐making. In relation to this latter objective, they both face similar challenges concerning conflicts of interest among key institutional shareholders. This article examines the record of shareholder proposal filing and voting from 2000–2003 for 81 large US public corporations to determine the relative prominence of CSR shareholder activism and the prospects for effective CSR shareholder activism on key environmental issues. The analysis of these data finds that nearly half (45%) of all shareholder resolutions are related to CSR, and that those resolutions which combine issues of CSR with traditional CG activism appeal to slightly more shareholders than issues of CSR alone. The article also examines shareholder activism at the micro level with a case study of the voting record at ExxonMobil. The article finds that CSR‐related shareholder activism represents the majority of shareholder activism within that firm and that resolutions targeted at climate change are particularly well supported. These resolutions draw a connection between environmental risk and risk to shareholder value. While numerous challenges remain for both CG and CSR activists, the article concludes that reforms that strengthen shareholder rights and corporate governance more generally will also benefit CSR activists and the environmental policies they promote in particular. The article ends with some proposed solutions for addressing the perceived conflicts of interest in corporate governance and the shareholder voting process.

Suggested Citation

  • Robert Monks & Anthony Miller & Jacqueline Cook, 2004. "Shareholder activism on environmental issues: A study of proposals at large US corporations (2000–2003)," Natural Resources Forum, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 28(4), pages 317-330, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:natres:v:28:y:2004:i:4:p:317-330
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1477-8947.2004.00104.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Prevost, Andrew K & Rao, Ramesh P, 2000. "Of What Value Are Shareholder Proposals Sponsored by Public Pension Funds?," The Journal of Business, University of Chicago Press, vol. 73(2), pages 177-204, April.
    2. Tracy A. Thompson & Gerald F. Davis, 1997. "The Politics of Corporate Control and the Future of Shareholder Activism in the United States," Corporate Governance: An International Review, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 5(3), pages 152-159, July.
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    1. Rastad, Mahdi & Dobson, John, 2022. "Gender diversity on corporate boards: Evaluating the effectiveness of shareholder activism," The Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 84(C), pages 446-461.
    2. Eunice S. Khoo & Li Chen & Gary S. Monroe, 2023. "Shareholder election of CSR committee members and its effects on CSR performance," Journal of Business Finance & Accounting, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 50(3-4), pages 716-763, March.
    3. Barros, Victor & Guedes, Maria João & Santos, Joana & Sarmento, Joaquim Miranda, 2023. "Shareholder activism and firms’ performance," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).
    4. Haidong Li & Ziming Qian & Shanyong Wang & Jing Wang & Qian Wang, 2023. "Do green concerns promote corporate green innovation? Evidence from Chinese stock exchange interactive platforms," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 44(3), pages 1786-1801, April.
    5. Auzepy, Alix & Bannier, Christina E. & Martin, Fabio, 2023. "Walk the talk: Shareholders' soft engagement at annual general meetings," CFS Working Paper Series 689, Center for Financial Studies (CFS).
    6. Aimei Yang & Nur Uysal & Maureen Taylor, 2018. "Unleashing the Power of Networks: Shareholder Activism, Sustainable Development and Corporate Environmental Policy," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 27(6), pages 712-727, September.

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