Oct. 17, 2018
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission should require corporate managers to be honest with their shareholders about how they are planning for the long term. Shareholders have a right to know if oil executives are trying to buy off politicians to slow progress on addressing climate change. They also have a right to know whether the company is cultivating diversity on its board or moving profits abroad to avoid paying taxes in the U.S. These are just a few examples of the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) risks that the SEC should require public companies to disclose to their shareholders and the public. As a shareholder I receive proxy voting materials all the time but never receive substanative information about environmental initiatives, offshoring jobs or diversity efforts. These are the things I want input on but never hear a word. No wonder people fail to vote their shares. Corporate transparency on important issues of the day should be a right for investors. Thank you for considering my comment. Carol Royce