Governance and stewardship news

The UK’s Financial Reporting Council (FRC) is consulting on revisions to the country’s Corporate Governance Code, with comments requested by 13 September.

Following on from an INSIGHT INTO PEAK 2023 this blog will bring our focus away from the United States and look at what shareholders are valuing and proposing elsewhere in the world. Therefore, this blog's focus areas will be the United Kingdom, Europe, and the Rest of the World. The Common theme in these areas is once again heavily dominated by Sustainability as investors look to build a sustainable future and hold companies accountable for their actions.

Mining company Glencore faces increased pressure from investors seeking greater transparency on how its thermal coal production aligns with the Paris Agreement.

Japanese car giant Toyota is being urged to strengthen its reporting around climate change activities, after a proposal was successfully added to its upcoming Ordinary General Meeting.

Australia’s financial watchdog has been taking active steps to address greenwashing with 35 interventions in the space of nine months.

Lead investors engaging Shell under Climate Action 100+ have indicated their intention to support a climate resolution requiring the company to align its scope 3 emissions targets with the Paris Agreement.

An investor coalition overseeing $10trn in assets have called for urgent action from the consumer goods and grocery retail sector to address the plastic crisis.

BP is under pressure to align its Scope 3 emission reduction plans with the Paris Climate Agreement after investors backed a shareholder resolution at its AGM.

Woodside Energy has withstood investor backlash against inadequate climate policies at this year’s AGM.

Cigarette maker British American Tobacco (BAT) has paid penalties totalling more than $629 million (£503.5 million) to US authorities to settle charges related to breaches of sanctions against North Korea.

With the 2023 proxy season well underway, it is looking like it could be another record-breaking year for environmental, social and governance (ESG) shareholder proposals.

Proposed legislation will hold financial services firms based in or operating in the EU accountable for human rights and environmental violations in their value chain.