The Sierra Club Foundation is collaborating with iconik to offer a free and easy platform for individuals and institutions to vote their proxies in alignment with the foundation’s values. This partnership aims to give investors the opportunity to shape a more sustainable and just future for the companies they own. Through iconik’s voting technology, investors can vote on key issues related to environmental justice and climate change, among other factors, at the click of a button. This collaboration provides a simpler pathway for shareholders to engage in values-aligned investing.
Pedro Henriques da Silva, the director of Shifting Trillions at Sierra Club Foundation, explained that the voting solution offered by SCF and iconik is accessible to all investors. By signing up on iconik’s platform, investors can have their votes automatically aligned with the Sierra Club Foundation’s voting policy at no cost. This initiative aims to address the lack of investor participation in voting and the need for responsible action by public companies in tackling environmental issues. The collaboration with iconik offers a solution for investors to make informed proxy voting decisions that reflect their values and support a healthier planet.
The Sierra Club Foundation’s voting policy, developed in collaboration with iconik’s Voteforge technology, focuses on key issues relevant to mitigating risks related to environmental injustice, climate change, and biodiversity loss. The foundation votes alongside other organizations with expertise in non-climate areas to ensure that shareholders are aligned in their values and interests. The platform also allows investors to vote against proposals that are not in line with the Sierra Club Foundation’s values, ensuring that investors have control over their voting policy.
Investing in a way that aligns with the Sierra Club Foundation’s voting policy has the potential to positively impact investment returns. By encouraging companies to strengthen their environmental practices, investors can mitigate risks and potentially enhance returns. Companies that take meaningful action to manage their social and environmental impact tend to have higher valuations, highlighting the importance of investing in companies that address systemic risks related to pollution and injustice. Not voting shares forfeits shareholders’ ability to have a say in how companies approach important issues, putting investments at risk.
For those interested in impact investing but not yet ready to engage in proxy voting, there are steps they can take to learn more about shareholder engagement and aligning their values with their investments. Institutional investors can indicate the topics that matter to them and engage with companies behind the scenes to support efforts that protect their assets. Investors can also reach out to financial advisors or wealth managers to explore options for better aligning their values with their investments. Moving deeper into impact investing can involve learning from organizations and initiatives dedicated to this work and seeking out specialized services for impact investing solutions.
As the threat of climate change grows, it is essential for investors to align their values and collective needs with their investments. By supporting initiatives like the collaboration between the Sierra Club Foundation and iconik, investors can play a part in safeguarding the Earth and its ecologies for future generations. Together, investors can make a difference in shaping a more sustainable and just future through responsible investing practices.
