Nuns push Wall Street for environmental justice through shareholder advocacy

Faith-based advocates urge Citibank to respect Indigenous rights.

Keerti Gopal reports for Inside Climate News.

In short:

• Sister Susan Francois emphasized the Catholic Church's historical role in colonization while advocating for Indigenous rights at Citibank's shareholder meeting.
• Despite the failure of their resolution for the third year, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace plan to continue their advocacy against financing harmful fossil fuel projects.
• Citibank's recent report on Indigenous peoples' rights was criticized for not meeting international standards, highlighting ongoing concerns over corporate responsibility.

Key quote:

“This is a clear message to the bank that human rights violations are bad for business.”

— Sister Susan Francois, Treasurer of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace

Why this matters:

The nuns’ persistent advocacy reinforces the role of ethical investing in combating climate change and supporting Indigenous communities. Read more: What would a just energy transition look like for US tribes?