Nike investors seek changes on climate, labor and gender equity policies, but their proposals face rejection

Nike shareholders are pushing for changes in the company’s handling of climate change, labor rights and gender equity, but past votes suggest their efforts will likely fail.

Rob Davis reports for ProPublica and Matthew Kirk reports for The Oregonian.

In short:

Nike shareholders will vote on proposals addressing carbon emissions, labor practices, and gender pay gaps.
Since 1996, no shareholder proposal has passed due to opposition from Nike’s board, controlled by Phil Knight’s stock.
Major investors, including Norway’s sovereign wealth fund, are backing the climate and labor proposals.

Key quote:

“It’s very disappointing to see this lack of response, lack of engagement from the company, coupled with what we know about the layoffs and restructuring of the staff working on sustainability.”

— Lisa Hayles, Trillium Asset Management

Why this matters:

Shareholder proposals reveal investor concern over corporate responsibility, but companies with powerful founders can resist change. Weak action on climate and labor issues may harm Nike's long-term reputation and sustainability goals.

www.propublica.org

Nike investors seek changes on climate, labor and gender equity policies, but their proposals face rejection

Philippines climate protests spotlight whether money is reaching the most vulnerable

Newsom presents California as reliable partner at U.N. climate talks

France's Fontainebleau forest serves as ‘laboratory' for climate change adaptation

China’s emissions level off as renewables surge, signaling possible peak

LA’s clean air future is being built by Black women

‘It will never be forgiven’: UN climate chief warns world to act or face disaster

As U.S. and E.U. retreat on climate, China takes the leadership role

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.