Environment, corporate political spending top proxy season list

The environment and corporate political spending remain key issue areas for shareholder proposals this proxy season, although a number of proposals have also been filed on the opioid crisis, the gender pay gap, and workplace and corporate board diversity, said a report Thursday from non-profit shareholder advocacy groups As You Sow, Sustainable Investments Institute and Proxy Impact. 

Within environment, climate change remains a primary focus this proxy season. The total number of proposals focused on climate change rose to 83 this year, on par with 82 from this time last year, and represents about 20% of the 429 total shareholder proposals filed on environmental, social and sustainability issues as of Feb. 16. It remains to be seen how these proposals will fare among what appear to be increasing investor demand for climate risk disclosure, the report — Proxy Preview 2018 — said.

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