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Resolution: Sustainability Report
2007 Shareholder Resolution approved by the Advisory Committee on Corporate Social Responsibility (ACCSR)
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Resolution:
Sustainability Report
WHEREAS: Investors increasingly seek
disclosure of companies’ environmental and social practices
in the belief that they impact shareholder value. Many
investors believe companies that are good employers,
environmental stewards, and corporate citizens are more
likely to generate better financial returns, be more stable
during turbulent economic and political conditions, and
enjoy long-term business success.
Sustainability refers to endeavors that meet present needs
without impairing the ability of future generations to meet
their own needs. According to Dow Jones, “Corporate
Sustainability is a business approach that creates long-term
shareholder value by embracing opportunities and managing
risks deriving from economic, environmental, and social
developments. Corporate sustainability leaders achieve
long-term shareholder value by gearing their strategies and
management to harness the market's potential for
sustainability products and services while at the same time
successfully reducing and avoiding sustainability costs and
risks.” (http://www.sustainability-index.com/07_htmle/sustainability/corpsustainability.html)
We believe that improved reporting on environmental, social,
and governance issues will strengthen our company and the
people it serves. Furthermore, we believe this information
is necessary for making well-informed investment decisions
as it speaks to the vision and stewardship of management and
can have significant impacts on our company’s reputation and
on shareholder value.
Globally, over 2,000 companies produce reports on
sustainability issues (www.corporateregister.com).
The GE 2006 Citizenship Report provides a compelling
rationale for sustainability reporting: “Investors are
increasingly interested in evaluating companies based on a
broader set of criteria than just financial
performance...The strength of reputation, trust in brand and
governance, and the ability to perform as a good corporate
citizen, all impact GE’s valuation and shape the perception
of the Company’s worth. In fact, according to a recent
study, 70% of institutional asset managers believe the
Company’s citizenship factors will be part of mainstream
analysis in the next 3 to 10 years...GE’s focus is on
providing transparent communications relating to the
Company’s citizenship performance.”
RESOLVED: Shareholders request that the Board of
Directors issue a sustainability report to shareholders, at
reasonable cost, and omitting proprietary information.
Supporting Statement
The report should include XXX’s definition of
sustainability, as well as a company-wide review of
policies, practices, and indicators related to measuring
long-term social and environmental sustainability.
We recommend that XXX use the Global Reporting Initiative's
Sustainability Reporting Guidelines ("The Guidelines") to
prepare the report. The Global Reporting Initiative (www.globalreporting.org)
is an international organization with representatives from
the business, environmental, human rights, and labor
communities. Over 900 companies use or consult the
Guidelines for sustainability reporting.
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