Reports

The moral measure of any economy is how the weakest are faring; a fundamental concern for investors and corporate executives must be the impact of their actions on the well being of people, particularly the poor and vulnerable.

• Issue : Access to Health & Nutrition
  EXPAND

  CBIS Portfolio Company:

  Gilead Sciences

  Date:

  06/30/2017

  CRI Update:

  CBIS began its engagement with Gilead Sciences on the issue of access to health for the world’s poor in 2016. CBIS has already met with the access to Medicine Foundation to discuss ways Gilead and the pharmaceutical industry can help the world’s poorest people access the medicine they need. Pharmaceutical companies have an important role to play by responding with concrete, effective action to combat diseases that disproportionately affect the poor and vulnerable. Expanding the supply of life-saving medications can help meet an urgent public health need in low-income countries. Gilead produces and has improved access to medications in developing countries for HIV, hepatitis, and disease caused by parasites. CBIS will work with Gilead to ensure the company is evaluating reduced pricing options to expand coverage for patients, coordinating and supporting education for medical and clinical workers, and expanding innovative patent agreements to hepatitis therapies.

  In the first quarter of 2017, CBIS and other shareholders had a call in April to discuss Gilead’s new focus:

  • Market expansion: To tackle the Hepatitis C crisis, Gilead will build new manufacturing plants in China where 10 million people are infected. Gilead hopes to replace outdated medications with poor cure rates.
  • Pilot projects: Gilead donated drugs to the government of Georgia, the country with the world’s third highest prevalence of hepatitis C. The goal is a 90% reduction in prevalence by 2020.
  • Global frameworks: The company committed to meet the UN Sustainable Development Goal of ensuring healthy lives and well-being worldwide by 2030, a positive step.

  CBIS Portfolio Company:

  Papa John’s

  Date:

  03/31/2017

  CRI Update:

  Over 800 million people worldwide are undernourished, while one-third of all food produced for human consumption (~1 B tons) is lost or wasted between the farm and table each year. Retail food chains such as Papa John’s are doing little to recognize or address the problem, yet cost savings are enormous to the company and a boon for communities once waste is identified, measured and cut.

  Papa John’s International operates in all 50 states and 39 countries, but lacks basic sustainability reporting and does not acknowledge that food waste is a major problem within the company. Our goal is to encourage Papa John’s to develop processes to better measure, report and combat food waste and address global hunger, including:
  

  • Implement and report on systems to identify the sources of and measure food waste,
  • Improve operational  practices to reduce waste, and
  • Develop waste reduction programs, repurpose ingredients, and develop local relationships for food donation.

  CBIS reached out to Papa John’s twice at the end of 2016, to discuss the issue and press the company for better reporting. We are drafting a letter now with the improvements we’d like to see in management practice and reporting for 2017, and have been partnering with key food waste advocates on strategy.

• Issue : Advancement of Women & People of Color
  EXPAND
  No coming updates from CRI for this category
• Issue : Responsible Banking
  EXPAND

  CBIS Portfolio Company:

  Deutsche Bank

  Date:

  09/30/2017

  CRI Update:

  Globally, nearly 21 million refugees have been forced from home due to war, conflict and persecution and require bank accounts to integrate into new communities. Refugees often lack standard documentation to open accounts, and without access to funds, they may go into debt, rely on handouts, or be forced into homelessness.

  Deutsche Bank, Germany’s largest bank and a global leader with a strong position in Europe, can use its size and influence to help the more than 1.5 million refugees in Germany in need of financial service. Our goal for the engagement is to encourage Deutsche Bank to work to ensure there are adequate resources in place to provide refugees with accessible, affordable, and useful financial products and services, including:

  • Hire multilingual employees,
  • Train staff on account opening requirements,
  • Streamline the account opening process, and
  • Create technology that allows beneficiaries with no banking relationship to more easily access funds.

  In June 2017, Deutsche Bank responded to our inquiry and shared details about its work to connect and empower refugees displaced by war and conflict with financial products and services. The bank provides a basic account for EU residents and people without permanent residence, including homeless persons and asylum seekers. Many branches have multilingual staff, and additional services are offered to clients with a Turkish background. Changes are also underway with new digital technology that improve accessibility and provide electronic payment. In 2016, Deutsche Bank launched a Digital Factory, dedicated to developing digital banking products. We look forward to learning more about the ways Deutsche Bank is assessing the effectiveness of its efforts to better serve, protect, and empower refugees.

   

• Issue : Tobacco
  EXPAND
  No coming updates from CRI for this category
• Issue : Worker Rights
  EXPAND

  CBIS Portfolio Company:

  Sanderson Farms

  Date:

  09/30/2017

  CRI Update:

  In the first quarter of 2018, CBIS attended the Sanderson Farms annual shareholders’ meeting in Mississippi and spoke with CEO and Chairman Joe Sanderson, who agreed to meet with CBIS later in the year to discuss labor and safety concerns.

  In the third quarter of 2017, CBIS filed a shareholder resolution on shareholders’ ability to nominate board members on the company’s own proxy ballot materials. We made clear to the board that our priority was nominating directors with worker rights and health and safety expertise critical to both industry success and addressing the risks we were raising. Before our proposal went to a vote, Sanderson Farms agreed to amend its bylaws to allow for proxy access. CBIS withdrew the resolution, and we continue to press the company on improving its workplace practices and treatment of vulnerable workers, including refugees.

  Chicken is the most popular meat in America, and while profits in the poultry industry have risen rapidly, improvements in working conditions on processing lines have not kept pace with growth. Due to high turnover and challenging conditions, plants often employ economically vulnerable populations who are afraid to speak about conditions and risk their employment.

  Sanderson Farms is the third largest poultry producer in the US and has the ability to implement changes that would improve the conditions and safety for poultry workers across the country. Our goal for the engagement is to encourage Sanderson Farms to improve working conditions on poultry processing lines to combat injury and illness and provide adequate breaks for employees, including:
  

  • Reporting on worker safety figures, workforce make-up, worker turnover, and workforce satisfaction,
  • Implementing employee cross-training to alleviate repetitive motion risks, and
  • Hiring floating workers to allow for rest breaks for employees and breaks to sharpen tools.

  CBIS has interviewed NGO, union, and occupational safety experts in the industry to develop strong background on key issues and potential solutions. We also attended an invite-only meeting of poultry workers froma cross the U.S. to hear directly of concerns across poultry processing plants.

We are stewards of God’s creation; it is our responsibility to nurture, respect, preserve, and protect the planet as a resource for all, including future generations.

• Issue : Climate Change
  EXPAND

  CBIS Portfolio Company:

  BP

  Date:

  01/1/1970

  CRI Update:

  In April 2017, CBIS led a meeting of BP executives and the Chair of the Board’s Remuneration Committee in March (with another follow up meeting in April 2017), and invited a coalition of investors from three countries, representing over $6 trillion AUM, to join us to:

  • Discuss executive remuneration incentives for the transition to a lower-carbon business model,
  • Request an analysis of the risks/opportunities under a 2° C and 1.5 ° C business environment,
  • Encourage the company to add board members that had more “new economy” experience like technological disruption, venture capital, and innovation development, in order to be successful in a shift in business model, and
  • Raise concerns about recent strategies, incentives and energy models that do not align with the Paris Agreement goals.

  We joined an SRI presentation in December 2016 via video and asked executives to discuss carbon pricing, whether it is realistic for nations to hit a two degree emissions target, stemming from the Paris Agreement, and BP’s outlook on the issue. CBIS has also been focused on collaborating with EU and UK investors to press the company on executive remuneration incentives that are aligned with a two-degree transition pathway, and plan to dialogue more in the spring on our vote against the compensation plan if such issues are not addressed.

  In April 2015, a resolution that CBIS co-filed at BP asking the company to outline steps it is taking in the transition to a low carbon economy received a near unanimous vote of 98% in favor, in addition to support from the company. The results demonstrate the strength of shareholder interest in assessing climate impact along with company performance.

  On November 13, 2015 BP held an investor webinar to share its progress implementing the resolution. CBIS asked the company to set company-wide greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals. Without external targets, it is difficult for investors to understand how the company is reducing risk and preparing for a carbon-constrained future. We also encouraged the company to share more information on steps it is taking with respect to research and development of low carbon alternatives.

  CBIS Portfolio Company:

  CNOOC

  Date:

  01/31/2016

  CRI Update:

  In 2018, Chinese oil and gas giant CNOOC Ltd. agreed to improved emissions reporting and working on medium-term plans to address the low-carbon transition in its industry, in response to CBIS’ letter asking it to report to the CDP and disclose climate scenarios and emissions targets aligned with the Paris Agreement.

  In the fourth quarter of 2017, CBIS asked the Board of Directors in a letter to produce a Two Degree Scenario Analysis, respond to a questionnaire from investor network CDP, and disclose how the Board is going to improve its climate competency and oversee climate risk.

  In 2016, CBIS will begin to engage China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) on the issue of climate change. CNOOC is China’s largest oil & gas company and can play a critical role in the transition to a low-carbon economy. China is the world’s largest consumer of energy and biggest greenhouse gas emitter, but it has set out a global action plan to limit global warming in accordance with the Paris climate accord. CNOOC has taken steps to address climate change, including developing technology to capture and store carbon, reducing energy consumption and improving energy ef¬ficiency in the production process, but it does not disclose emissions and provides only limited information regarding its renewable energy and carbon sequestration efforts. CBIS will work with CNOOC to ensure the company is creating targets to measure and reduce emissions and developing reporting to disclose its emissions, reduction goals, and progress.

  CBIS Portfolio Company:

  ExxonMobil

  Date:

  01/1/1970

  CRI Update:

  In 2018, ExxonMobil left ALEC, a highly controversial lobbying group, due to disagreement on climate change positions. CBIS pushed this issue at our last in-person dialogue, asking for policy consistency.  Exxon also announced robust methane reduction goals, to decrease it overall greenhouse gas profile.

  In December 2017, ExxonMobil announced it would produce the Two Degree Assessment that CBIS and other institutional investors requested through a successful shareholder proposal in May. Subsequently, the company release two reports in February 2018, with analysis of “energy demand sensitivies, implications of Two Degree scenarios, and positioning for a lower-carbon future.” CBIS will be reviewing these thoroughly and reporting back to our investors on our learnings and future action steps.

  On May 31, 2017, shareholders voted 62.1% in favor of Proposal 12, or the Two Degree Assessment proposal, which asked the company for reporting on its fossil fuel reserve risk under a 2 degree Celsius world. CBIS was a co-filer on the proposal and spent time and resources to build support from other faith investors, and to make the business case to dozens of large institutional investors globally. CBIS was part of a coalition of 54 investors respresenting $5 trillion in assets under management. Two-third of the filers were faith-based, and mot were Catholic institutions. The resolution was the first environmental resolution to pass at Exxon, and the second highest vote in the company’s history.

  In February 2017, CBIS hosted a meeting of over 75 investors in Washington, DC, in late February, featuring many of the top 100 holders of the company, to discuss where Exxon and its peers stand on key investor asks related to the energy transition.

  In 4Q 2016, CBIS began to spearhead a new strategy to bring the weight of faith based investors behind a proposal asking for an assessment of the company’s reserves and resiliency under a two degree policy scenario (aka, the Paris Agreement). CBIS also met with the company in December, and pressed the company on its Energy Outlook assumptions, public policy, legal firestorms, and positioning the company for more rapid industry transition. We subsequently filed the Two Degree Assessment proposal after the dialogue took place, seeing no major changes in commitment or strategy from the company during that meeting. As of March 31, 2017, there are now over 50 co-filers to the proposal, representing over $4 trillion in assets under management. The proposal is consistent with requests for enhanced climate change disclosure that CBIS has requested of BP and Royal Dutch Shell.

  CBIS co-filed a shareholder resolution in 4Q 2015 asking the company to support the goal of limiting global average temperature increases to 2°C above pre-industrial levels, in line with the goals of the recent Paris Climate Accord. On December 17, 2015, CBIS participated in a call with Exxon Mobil to discuss the resolution. Shareholders encouraged the company to establish goals for its climate change program, as many of their oil and gas peers have done. Simply reducing emissions by any amount over any time frame is not an effective way for investors to measure success. The company attempted to block our resolution from appearing on the ballot, as it disagrees with setting goals and instead feels its performance should be assessed based on solutions they put forward. However, it was unsuccessful, and a vote was held at the annual shareholder meeting in May 2016. CBIS attended the meeting and addressed the board, speaking on behalf of vulnerable communities and addressing the need for a new business model that takes into account the impacts on those communities while still providing energy to those who need it. The resolution received a vote of 18.5% in favor, a positive result for a first time resolution.

  We believe that millions who live in poverty may face climate impacts and will depend on high emitting sectors to take action. The Pope’s 2015 encyclical, Laudato Si’, made a new moral call for attending to our common home. While Exxon Mobile provides vital energy services to the global economy, as the largest publicly traded oil company in the world and one of the largest greenhouse gas emitters globally, the company can play an important role in addressing climate change and providing leadership for the transition to a low-carbon economy. We are hopeful further conversation will change Exxon Mobil’s stance.

  CBIS had previously filed a greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction resolution at Exxon Mobil in advance of the company’s May 2015 annual meeting. Despite CBIS’ efforts to organize a Declare Your Vote initiative, the final vote was 9.6% in favor, in part due to changes at the largest proxy voting agency.

  CBIS Portfolio Company:

  Ford

  Date:

  01/1/1970

  CRI Update:

  In November 2017, CBIS met with Ford Motor Company’s new CEO Jim Hackett, an executive with strong sustainability credentials, and Ford’s Chairman of the Board, Bill Ford, Jr., to discuss the company’s policy advocacy on fuel economy standards , human rights due diligence in the supply chain, the need to undertake a Two Degree Scenario Analysis, and the importance of understanding disruptive trends and technology that can negatively impact its strategy plan. The company agreed to investigate what a Two Degree Scenario Analysis would entail.

  CBIS led a meeting of BP executives and the Chair of the Board’s Remuneration Committee in March (with a follow-up meeting at our NYC office in April 2017), and convened a coalition of investors representing over $6 trillion AUM to join us. In June 2017, CBIS participated in a half-day discussion on lobbying alignment covering a range of concerns: cleaner vehicle goals, advanced mobility progress, and reaching low-income markets. CBIS is working to address growing pressures on the company from newer competitors that are shifting demand from the internal combustion engine to new technologies and mobility strategies. CBIS pressed Ford to respond to these trends, and its roll-out and timeframes for low-carbon fleets, and the policy, cybersecurity and leadership risks accompanying them. Much more progress is needed by Ford to stay ahead of the curve and be a relevant transport company in the coming decades.

  Ford recently outlined ways it is building consumer acceptance of and demand for fuel-efficient vehicles. The company is investing an additional $4.5 billion in electrified vehicle solutions by 2020, and it expects that by the end of the decade, more than 40% of Ford’s nameplates globally will be electrified. CBIS has discussed with the company for nearly 15 years ways that it could improve the energy efficiency and increase the miles/gallon of its fleet. Electric vehicles are cleaner than petroleum-fueled vehicles and seen as a partial solution for bettering the environment.

  In 2016, CBIS was invited to join a strategic planning session with several teams of Ford Motor Co.  to discuss strategies out to 2030, including autonomous vehicles, electrified fleets, utility partnerships on infrastructure, vehicle design, and public policy. CBIS raised questions about cyber security concerns for self-driving (autonomous) vehicles and targeting segments of the market like the elderly and disabled for such vehicles, to the need for adapting car design to accommodate extreme weather from climate change. CBIS also discussed new partnerships to build out fueling/recharging infrastructure, the necessity of self-driving cars to move beyond fossil fuels (cars of the future are expected to be high tech in more than one way), and the trend in highly customizable cars and the opportunities that might produce—as well as the environmental risks inherent in parts and technologies that might quickly become obsolete.

   

  CBIS Portfolio Company:

  Royal Dutch Shell

  Date:

  01/1/1970

  CRI Update:

  After 10 years of engagement with Shell, in November 2017, CEO Ben van Beurden announced the company’s ambitious new pledge to increase investment in renewable fuels and to cut carbon emissions in half by 2050. The company committed to:

  • Cut total lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions (emissions from operations and those produced from Shell products) by half by 2050;
  • Increase investment by up to $2 billion per year on renewable energy sources and electric car charging stations;
  • Work with BMW, Daimler, Ford, and Volkswagen to install fast-charging stations on Europe highways;
  • Report on progress every five years.

  During the meetings, we additionally pressed the company to improve its climate scenarios, so that investors understand the company’s strategic planning related to technology advances, government policy, and consumer shifts. We also pushed for new board leadership to help the company meet its ambitious net zero emissions commitments.

  On November 4, 2015, Van Beurden had a meeting in New York to update analysts on the company’s performance. CBIS pressed senior executives about contributing to a fund to clean up oil spills in the Niger Delta. We praised the company on its decision to withdraw from drilling in the Arctic, an area that presents high risk due to its remote location and dangerous conditions. We also encouraged the company to provide robust reporting on steps it is taking to combat climate change, in line with the company’s commitment to improve reporting following the May 2015 resolution.

  In April 2015, CBIS attended Royal Dutch Shell’s SRI day in London. CBIS and 40 SRI colleagues from investment firms across Europe met with CEO Ben Van Beurden and Chad Holladay, Chair of the Corporate and Social Responsibility Committee. Discussions included the company’s strategy on climate change, renewable energy, and deepwater drilling, cleanup operations in Nigeria, and exploration in the challenging Arctic region. It is an example of best practice in corporate engagement with stakeholders.

  A resolution co-sponsored by CBIS for Royal Dutch Shell asking for greater disclosure about their climate impact received 99% support at the May 2015 annual meeting. The results demonstrate the strength of shareholder interest in assessing climate impact along with company performance.

• Issue : Environmental Justice
  EXPAND

  CBIS Portfolio Company:

  Anglo American

  Date:

  01/1/1970

  CRI Update:

  In March 2016, CBIS organized and spoke on a webinar for SRI investment analysts about new tools to advance corporate efforts towards responsible mining. Anglo American, the world’s fifth largest mining company, participated to share new tools to advance responsible mining. The company discussed its membership in The Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA), an innovative multi-stakeholder group that is working to develop best practice for mine sites, including standards for environmental and social issues, labor rights, indigenous peoples and cultural heritage, and pollution control. The coalition includes businesses purchasing minerals and metals, public interest groups, community organizations as well as trade unions and a handful of other mining companies.

  Anglo American is a top producer of platinum, coal, copper, and diamonds. In the past year, four mines have experienced labor strikes due to health and safety concerns, job cuts, and wages. Improvements to the sites have been registered but progress has been inconsistent. CBIS is working with Anglo American to strengthen labor standards, create a process to log grievances and implement corrective actions, and improve environmental practices to address air and water concerns.

• Issue : Hydraulic Fracturing
  EXPAND

  CBIS Portfolio Company:

  Anadarko

  Date:

  01/1/1970

  CRI Update:

  In the fall of 2017, CBIS and faith investors met with Anadarko to discuss a holistic water management approach to ensure that communities’ access to water is not jeopardized. The company was receptive to CBIS’ recommendation to identify and map community concerns around its operations.

  In January 2017, CBIS and investors engaged in a productive dialogue concerning the company’s methane emissions reduction, water management, and community engagement. CBIS provided input regarding the inclusion of the human right to water and sanitation in their human rights policy, citing that the company has made an adequate start by mapping stakeholder concerns with their operations. In response, Anadarko is willing to receive more feedback and resources to help to further develop an implementation of a human rights-based approach to water assessments.

  In early 2015, Anadarko launched this update to the corporate social responsibility section of its website. Advocating for better corporate disclosure and transparency is one of the means shareholders use to hold companies accountable and to push for improvements. The new website includes enhanced sections on air quality, greenhouse gas emissions, water management, and stakeholder engagement, all issues that we have discussed with the company. CBIS and other investors also provided feedback to Anadarko on its recently adopted Approach to Human Rights (also on the new website) which explains how Anadarko considers human rights in relation to its operations. We pushed Anadarko to move beyond a compliance approach (e.g. complying with local human rights regulations) and seeking to avoid human rights violations, and instead explore ways to promote and protect human rights among its stakeholders.

• Issue : Water Stewardship
  EXPAND

  CBIS Portfolio Company:

  Conagra Brands

  Date:

  06/30/2017

  CRI Update:

  Building on its history of working on water stewardship in agricultural supply chains, CBIS is setting its sights on the international arena, engaging some of the largest meat production companies globally on their critical role in water stewardship. Brazil and China are experiencing serious drought and water stress from pollution, respectively, which strengthens the case for performing systematic water risk assessments that are inclusive of the human right to water. The Human Right to Water and Sanitation clarifies that it is the responsibility of companies to ensure their operations do not infringe upon the right of individuals to sufficient, safe, acceptable and physically accessible and affordable water. This human right is further buttressed by the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal number 6, which includes a target for improving water quality by reducing pollution and minimizing the release of hazardous chemicals.

  Conagra Brands is a large consumer packaged goods company. With iconic ready-to-eat and frozen meals brands, Conagra Foods has the opportunity ensure food sourcing is not negatively affecting local water supplies. In the first quarter of 2017, CBIS organized Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility and United Nations-supported Principles for Responsible Investment members concerned with how the company is assessing and managing water risks in its supply chains and directed a letter to Conagra asking the company to assess water risks within its supply chain. Signatories with a total of $76 billion in AUM joined in the letter.

  In April 2017, CBIS organized a call with Conagra Brands and investors from the U.S. and Europe, on the topic of water risks in the supply chain. The company has begun a process of mapping its suppliers to identify where its exposure to water risk lies, and to develop a plan of action with priority attention to the most water-intensive ingredients. CBIS encouraged the company to integrate community impact risks from both water scarcity and pollution in its supply chain mapping.

  CBIS Portfolio Company:

  JBS SA

  Date:

  09/30/2017

  CRI Update:

  Building on its history of working on water stewardship in agricultural supply chains, CBIS is setting its sights on the international arena, engaging some of the largest meat production companies globally on their critical role in water stewardship. Brazil and China are experiencing serious drought and water stress from pollution, respectively, which strengthens the case for performing systematic water risk assessments that are inclusive of the human right to water. The Human Right to Water and Sanitation clarifies that it is the responsibility of companies to ensure their operations do not infringe upon the right of individuals to sufficient, safe, acceptable and physically accessible and affordable water. This human right is further buttressed by the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal number 6, which includes a target for improving water quality by reducing pollution and minimizing the release of hazardous chemicals.

  Brazil-based JBS SA is a leading processor of beef, pork and lamb in the US and the largest cattle feeder in the world. Our goal for the engagement is to encourage better management of water impacts from meat production that will help to conserve water and protect community access to water.

  In 2016, CBIS spearheaded a letter backed by 45 investors managing $1.2 trillion in assets calling on JBS SA to address key water pollution concerns. The company responded to our letter in the first quarter of 2017, seeking dialogue on its impacts to water. Since our initial outreach, JBS SA has been charged with bribery and corruption, along with product contamination, deforestation and health & safety and human rights violations. CBIS organized an investor webinar to discuss the company’s deficiencies in sustainability leadership and to mobilize investors around an open letter, penned by CBIS, to the company seeking major corporate governance reforms. Water stewardship remains a focus of engagement, augmented by governance concerns.

  In August 2017, we sent a second letter to the company, requesting a meeting to urge changes in its corporate governance structure that integrates accountability of environmental and social issues at the company’s helm. This letter garnered global support of over 35 investors with combined assets more than USD $4.1 trillion. Given the continued negative events, CBIS is closely monitoring the company and will identify an appropriate time to re-enter the conversation specific to water, as we continue to build investor response to governance failures.

  CBIS Portfolio Company:

  WH Group

  Date:

  06/30/2017

  CRI Update:

  Building on its history of working on water stewardship in agricultural supply chains, CBIS is setting its sights on the international arena, engaging some of the largest meat production companies globally on their critical role in water stewardship. Brazil and China are experiencing serious drought and water stress from pollution, respectively, which strengthens the case for performing systematic water risk assessments that are inclusive of the human right to water. The Human Right to Water and Sanitation clarifies that it is the responsibility of companies to ensure their operations do not infringe upon the right of individuals to sufficient, safe, acceptable and physically accessible and affordable water. This human right is further buttressed by the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal number 6, which includes a target for improving water quality by reducing pollution and minimizing the release of hazardous chemicals.

  WH Group, based in China, is the largest pork company in the world and new owner of Smithfield Foods, the largest US-based pork producer. Our goal for the engagement is to encourage better management of water impacts from meat production that will help to conserve water and protect community access to water.

  In 2016, CBIS spearheaded a letter backed by 40 investors managing $6.6 billion in assets calling on WH Group to address key water pollution concerns. The company responded to our letter in the first quarter of 2017, largely describing initiatives focused on U.S.-based Smithfield Foods. CBIS encouraged the company to take a more global look at its water quality impacts and invited it to a dialogue with investors, scheduled for later this year.

Human beings are created in God’s image; human life is sacred, and the dignity of all must be protected.

• Issue : Human Rights in Conflict Areas
  EXPAND

  CBIS Portfolio Company:

  Siemens

  Date:

  01/1/1970

  CRI Update:

  In January 2017, CBIS engaged in a robust conversation with the Siemens Head Of Regulatory Compliance for Conflict Minerals regarding the company’s due diligence and monitoring on its conflict minerals sourcing from smelters and refiners. Siemens reported that it is very active with the Conflict Free Sourcing Initiative, which is working to expand its audit protocols to assure compliance will met to the new EU law. While Siemens demonstrated that it is closely working with the leading industry initiative on the sustainable sourcing of minerals, the company falls behind peers on its transparency through disclosure of performance. CBIS encouraged Siemens to increase its disclosure of progress on ensuring its supply chain is free from conflict minerals.

  In July 2016, CBIS requested a meeting with Siemens, which supplies products, systems and solutions on energy management, and building and manufacturing technologies, to better understand how its intends to comply with a new EU conflict minerals rule. The rule calls on companies to report on their mineral sourcing practices based on a new set of performance indicators under development.

  The mining of certain minerals (including tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold) have been linked with funding multiple human rights abuses in the Democratic Republic of Congo and other conflict zones.  These minerals can enter multinational companies’ supply chains as they manufacture products such as jewelry, laptops, mobile phones and cars.

  The implementation of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Act (Section 1502) in 2010 ushered in significant progress in the development of traceability and certification mechanisms to distinguish “conflict-free” mines from those that continue to finance armed groups and promote violence. While increased traceability and transparency have led to a reduction in the number of tin, tantalum, tungsten, and gold (3TG) conflict mines in eastern Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and neighboring regions remain in a state of armed conflict.

  In June 2016 the European Parliament provisionally agreed to a reporting mechanism that would be mandatory for those that import the minerals and metals as raw materials into the EU, and request voluntary disclosure from other companies, like those whose finished products may contain conflict minerals (i.e. Siemens.) The regulation would cover all conflict regions worldwide, unlike Section 1502 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, which requires declarations of conflict minerals only from the Democratic Republic of Congo and adjacent countries.

• Issue : Human Trafficking
  EXPAND

  CBIS Portfolio Company:

  Campbell’s Soup

  Date:

  01/1/1970

  CRI Update:

  CBIS has been pressing Campbell’s Soup for two years to address the chain of indebtedness and worker dignity in their supply chain. In June, Campbell Soup released a Code of Conduct for suppliers that addresses labor trafficking:

  • Forbids suppliers from charging workers fees or retaining passports, so workers have freedom of movement.
  • Requires suppliers to provide workers with itemized wage statements, in a language understood by the worker.
  • Calls for audits of vendors, subcontractors and independent contractors.

  When we next meet with the company, we plan to discuss the rollout of the Code to suppliers, to better understand implementation, effectiveness and adherence.

  CBIS Portfolio Company:

  Coca-Cola

  Date:

  01/1/1970

  CRI Update:

  In September 2017, CBIS met with Coca-Cola’s director of global workplace rights and a small working group of ICCR members to strategize around best practices in respecting human rights in the company’s operations and supply chains. This intelligence can help us assess human trafficking policies at other major companies that are sourcing commodities around the globe.

  In the second quarter of 2014, Coca-Cola published its Human and Workplace Rights Issue Guidance for its suppliers and bottlers that seeks to protect human rights in its supply chain. Although CBIS’ focus with Coca-Cola is on water stewardship, the guidance document is an important step for a major corporation in recognizing worker rights and establishing clear expectations for its partner companies. A particular focus of the guidance is on the ethical recruitment of workers including no worker-paid recruitment fees, employer-paid transportation to host countries, and full payment of earnings to workers (no automatic debiting of payments to cover expenses).

  CBIS Portfolio Company:

  Nucor

  Date:

  01/1/1970

  CRI Update:

  In May 2016, CBIS attended the Nucor annual shareholders’ meeting to question executives on initiatives to prevent slave labor in the company’s Brazilian supply chain, and its disclosure to shareholders of its progress.

  In the fourth quarter of 2014, Nucor issued an update of steps it is taking to combat human trafficking in Brazil. In 2007, investigations revealed the prevalence of forced labor and armed surveillance by charcoal producers in Northern Brazil. Because charcoal is an input in Nucor’s steel production, the company has taken steps to eradicate slave labor from its supply chain. A new update from Nucor reported that between May 2010 and June 2014, 822 random, unannounced audits of charcoal facilities supplying its member pig iron manufacturers were conducted, covering ~25,000 laborers, and the ICC found no instances of forced labor or armed surveillance by employers or hired guards.

  CBIS Portfolio Company:

  Target

  Date:

  01/1/1970

  CRI Update:

  Target’s Vice President of Corporate Responsibility announced a new Sustainable Seafood Policy that commits the company to collaborate with companies and NGOs to promote ethical working conditions and support for public policy that will ensure implementation of core labor standards. CBIS has been calling for worker protections for two years and was pleased the company took these steps in November 2018.

  In a call with Target in February 2017, CBIS encouraged the company to release details of audits of its Thai seafood suppliers in light of egregious forced labor violations over the past 3 years, and share information about its participation in The Seafood Task Force, an influential, diverse coalition tackling human rights in Thailand, which Target joined at CBIS’ urging.

  In October 2016, CBIS participated in a call with Target regarding Target’s new Responsible Sourcing and Sustainable Design 2020 goals. The company shared its key areas of focus: improving worker well-being, achieving net-positive manufacturing, and deriving key raw materials from ethical and sustainable sources. We have asked for additional detail on each of these areas of focus. The company made clear that it is committed to collaboration and transparency, including to the Seafood Supply Chain Task Force, a key area of interest for CBIS given our ongoing concerns regarding slave labor in the seafood supply chain in Thailand. The company is making headway to make sure that workers do not pay a fee for jobs, as is the case with unscrupulous labor brokers. In related news, we were pleased that Target is now having its fresh and frozen shrimp certified by Marine Bay Aquarium Project, and the company is also looking to certify tuna. The company also shared its recently published factory matrix that outlines the nearly 500 factories, by country, it is using to produce its goods. Shareholders welcome transparency of this kind since it can help to identify leading and lagging factories in terms of worker safety, environmental performance and human rights standards.

  We are pleased to announce that Target joined the Shrimp Sustainable Supply Chain Task Force in September 2016, a longtime ask of CBIS. Key goals of the Task Force include: Creating a standard code of conduct model for Thai ports, brokers and vessels; conducting audits of vessels; and tracking and tracing systems from vessel to feed mill. The multi-stakeholder alliance includes European and American retailers, their suppliers, NGOs and the major Thai shrimp processors and feed companies. Members include Costco, Walmart, World Wildlife Fund and our own Thai Union. We believe Target’s advances can help to reduce reputational risk, protect at-risk workers, and ultimately make its seafood supply chain more resilient. We continue to urge Target to publicly report on its progress and to join additional programs that help migrant workers choose good employers, find safe work and living conditions, and avoid exploitative labor brokers. Target mentioned that it is now looking to take additional steps to trace its tuna supply chain.

  In early 2016, Target hired a labor and human rights experts to be onsite in Bangkok to assess the seafood supply chain in Thailand. This is one of many steps Target has detailed to address human trafficking in the seafood supply chain in Thailand, including furthering knowledge of abuses in the shrimp supply chain through in-country meetings with the Thai government, the International Labor Organization, and key vendors; working with other retailers to communicate the need to address this issue with the Thai government; and implementing a process to trace the supply chain from ocean to table. Target audits its seafood processing facilities but does not currently make audit findings public.

  After an investigation in January 2016 revealed that poor migrant workers and children were sold to factories in Thailand and forced to peel shrimp that ended up in global supply chains (Slave-peeled shrimp tied to major retailers, restaurants — 12/14/2015) CBIS contacted Target. Target is aware of the investigation and the need for even more productive multi-sector collaboration on this critical issue. As part of its traceability commitment, Target has been vigilant in evaluating its own supply from Southeast Asia and is working with a wide range of stakeholders (industry, NGOs, government, etc.) to address human rights violations. Target is currently assessing the opportunity to engage more formally with the Shrimp Sustainable Supply Chain Task Force – a group of retailers, manufacturers, government, and human rights organizations working to create procedures for ports, and to trace the seafood supply chain from vessel to feed mill – and its collaborative plan to achieve more oversight.

  CBIS Portfolio Company:

  Thai Union

  Date:

  09/30/2016

  CRI Update:

  In 2016, CBIS began to engage Thai Union on the issue of human trafficking in the seafood section. Human trafficking abuses in the shrimp supply chain in Thailand have been well documented. As the largest seafood company globally by sales, Thai Union has the ability to have far-reaching impacts in the sector to improve labor standards. CBIS will work with Thai Union to ensure the company is assessing its immediate and extended seafood supply chain for human trafficking.

  Thai Union came to CBIS’ office in the third quarter of 2016 to outline its progress to eliminate slave labor from the seafood supply chain in Thailand. The company has taken a number of steps since widely circulated investigations uncovered abusive working conditions at a number of Thai Union suppliers. This external attention has pushed Thai Union to make significant changes in its business operations, including hiring workers directly rather than rely on labor brokers, some of whom charge workers exorbitant fees, promise jobs that never materialize, confiscate identity documents so workers are unable to leave, and often withhold pay. Thai Union is working with a variety of NGOs to provide grievance mechanisms for workers in factories and at sea and is now auditing its shrimp supply chain from vessels to fishmeal plants and farms to ensure suppliers comply with its code against forced labor. Violators of human rights stipulations are immediately terminated.  Thai Union is taking an active role in the Shrimp Sustainable Supply Chain Task Force (which actually covers the whole of seafood, in spite of the name). In addition to corporate representation, government representatives are included and NGOs act as an external advisory body to provide oversight. The Task Force is creating a code of conduct, auditable standards, and a model for monitoring that they will all agree to adhere to. The company also hired a Director of Sustainability who has been given free reign by senior management to implement changes. The company is now one of the leaders in the industry. Since much of its program is in its infancy, CBIS will follow the company’s implementation closely.

  CBIS Portfolio Company:

  United

  Date:

  03/31/2017

  CRI Update:

  In January 2017, CBIS met with management to discuss human trafficking initiatives and establish a rapport with the company. In response to a shareholder proposal filed with United Continental, the company has substantially strengthened its human rights policy. It applies to all 85,000 employees of which 23,000 are flight attendants. CBIS and investors will continue to provide input and resources toward effective implementation of the human rights policy that includes further training to monitor and act on human trafficking activity. Specifically, we are encouraging United to train its flight attendants to identify signs of human trafficking and to disclose the effectiveness of such programs, continue to improve its human rights policies to include stricter requirements on forced labor and child exploitation, and to sign The Code of Conduct for the Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation.

  In 2016, CBIS began to engage United on the issue of human trafficking in the airline sector. Airport personnel are in a unique position to discern possible trafficking situations. As the fourth largest airline in the world, United has the potential to play a vital role in identifying and assisting trafficking victims. While other companies are taking action, United’s reporting does not indicate if the company has developed effective internal controls. United published a human rights policy statement last year that repudiates forced labor, child labor and sexual exploitation and a commitment to cooperate with law enforcement. CBIS will work with United to ensure the company is demonstrating implementation by training flight attendants, developing programs with law enforcement, raising awareness and reporting annually on progress and challenges.

• Issue : Life Ethics
  EXPAND
  No coming updates from CRI for this category
• Issue : Pornography
  EXPAND

  CBIS Portfolio Company:

  Apple

  Date:

  06/30/2017

  CRI Update:

  In 2018, Apple blocked the Telegram app until it fixed a vulnerability that allowed child sex imagery to be sent to others. They have also launched new and stronger parental controls for parents to monitor time and app usage and suspicious activity of children’s internet and phone use, addressing one of our key asks.

  In October 2017, CBIS attended the World Congress on Child Dignity in the Digital World in Rome, and the Declaration of Rome – an action plan for faith leaders, governments, and companies to better address child sexual exploitation online – which was subsequently endorsed by Pope Francis. CBIS is now part of a subroup of experts working to roll out the Declaration and will report to the Vatican on progress. Beginning in 2018 ,we will be organizing an advisory committee of investors that specialize in children’s human rights, to draft expectations for the technology sector to better protect children from the digital threats of exploitation, grooming, and trafficking online.

  In May 2017, CBIS’ Tracey Rembert and Shaska Chirinos met with Chicago Police Department detectives to learn more about how internet technology is used to both assist and deter law enforcement in identifying child sex traffickers. We are also interviewing leading nonprofits like Thorn, The Technology Coalition, the ACLU and Unicef to understand how the many pieces of technology, privacy law, and online sex abuse connect. We will use this information to work with our focus companies to implement best practices for oversight and disclosure, and specific policies that better identify and prevent child sexual abuse online.

  In the second quarter of 2017, Apple responded about its Guidelines for App Developers. The tech giant has long disallowed pornography and included some language prohibiting physical harm to users, including kids.  The Guidelines highlight software developers’ responsibilities to refrain from facilitating content that conflicts with Apple’s terms. In September, Apple released an updated set of Guidelines that took an even stronger stance on the topic: “In extreme cases, such as apps that are found to facilitate human trafficking and/or the exploitation of children, appropriate authorities will be notified.” Apple further prohibited developers from using facial recognition software for account authentication if users are under 13; it strengthened its Kids portal requirements, anti-bullying, and anti-violence criteria; and it curtailed more Location Services tracking that can endanger children and facilitate sex grooming.

  In 2016, CBIS began to engage Apple on the issue of distribution of pornography. As a leader in the digital world, Apple has a responsibility to ensure that users of their digital store, content sharing, and communication products are property protected. Apple lags industry competitors such as Microsoft, Google, and Facebook, which have championed preventative software to report exploitative images and implemented zero tolerance policies in their code of ethics. CBIS will work with Apple to ensure the company is creating policies designed to protect children online, promoting positive use of information and communication technologies, creating new tools to improve the detection and removal of exploitative content, and reporting annually on progress and challenges. With little disclosure on the topic, Apple was been a difficult company to assess in terms of its policies, programs or commitment to combating illegal porn and child sexual exploitation. The company had no disclosure of policies on the issue, nor partnerships with key anti-exploitation or trafficking groups. After writing the company and having initial discussions with corporate staff, and we were told we are the first investor to raise such issues with the company to date. Apple disclosed one policy to CBIS, but refused to divulge more – Microsoft, Facebook, Kik, and Google (Alphabet) are doing far more. CBIS began building a coalition of Catholic investors to join us in engaging each of our five tech and telecom companies.

  CBIS Portfolio Company:

  AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile

  Date:

  01/1/1970

  CRI Update:

  In October 2017, CBIS attended the World Congress on Child Dignity in the Digital World in Rome, and the Declaration of Rome – an action plan for faith leaders, governments, and companies to better address child sexual exploitation online – which was subsequently endorsed by Pope Francis. CBIS is now part of a subroup of experts working to roll out the Declaration and will report to the Vatican on progress. Beginning in 2018 ,we will be organizing an advisory committee of investors that specialize in children’s human rights, to draft expectations for the technology sector to better protect children from the digital threats of exploitation, grooming, and trafficking online.

  CBIS also sent a letter to Sprint’s board seeking policy changes where parents would opt-out of parental controls, and for the company to improve its Acceptable Use Policy to better protect children and block abusive content.

  In May 2017, CBIS’ Tracey Rembert and Shaska Chirinos met with Chicago Police Department detectives to learn more about how internet technology is used to both assist and deter law enforcement in identifying child sex traffickers. We are also interviewing leading nonprofits like Thorn, The Technology Coalition, the ACLU and Unicef to understand how the many pieces of technology, privacy law, and online sex abuse connect. We will use this information to work with our focus companies to implement best practices for oversight and disclosure, and specific policies that better identify and prevent child sexual abuse online.

  The internet and devices to access it have transformed pornography and child victimization into an on-demand market. The ability to tag, analyze, block and filter illegal content is crucial, in order to identify victims, assist child protection groups, and educate law enforcement on trends. Even more troubling are the rising numbers of children forced into commercial sex acts online, through popular apps and websites. Tech and telecom companies are at the center of the debate, with the ability to block images, educate kids and parents, and save victims from abuse.

  CBIS is engaging with AT&T, Spring, T-Mobile, and Verizon to encourage the companies to develop solutions to combat child sex trafficking and exploitation online and foster effective content filtering strategies on devices. CBIS had previously sent letters to each company inquiring about their content filtering options available on mobile devices. We are currently building a coalition of Catholic investors to join us in engaging each of our telecom companies.

   

  CBIS Portfolio Company:

  Verizon Communications

  Date:

  01/1/1970

  CRI Update:

   

  In June 2018, CBIS had a dialogue with Verizon on child exploitation. Verizon’s Oath division (Yahoo! and AOL) has joined the Technology Coalition to combat child exploitation online with tech partners, at our urging.

  In October 2017, CBIS attended the World Congress on Child Dignity in the Digital World in Rome, and the Declaration of Rome – an action plan for faith leaders, governments, and companies to better address child sexual exploitation online – which was subsequently endorsed by Pope Francis. CBIS is now part of a subroup of experts working to roll out the Declaration and will report to the Vatican on progress. In 2018 ,we began organizing an advisory committee of investors that specialize in children’s human rights, to draft expectations for the technology sector to better protect children from the digital threats of exploitation, grooming, and trafficking online.

  In May 2017, CBIS’ Tracey Rembert and Shaska Chirinos met with Chicago Police Department detectives to learn more about how internet technology is used to both assist and deter law enforcement in identifying child sex traffickers. We are also interviewing leading nonprofits like Thorn, The Technology Coalition, the ACLU and Unicef to understand how the many pieces of technology, privacy law, and online sex abuse connect. We will use this information to work with our focus companies to implement best practices for oversight and disclosure, and specific policies that better identify and prevent child sexual abuse online.

  CBIS is engaging with AT&T, Spring, T-Mobile, and Verizon to encourage the companies to develop solutions to combat child sex trafficking and exploitation online and foster effective content filtering strategies on devices. The internet and devices to access it have transformed pornography and child victimization into an on-demand market. The ability to tag, analyze, block and filter illegal content is crucial, in order to identify victims, assist child protection groups, and educate law enforcement on trends. Even more troubling are the rising numbers of children forced into commercial sex acts online, through popular apps and websites. Tech and telecom companies are at the center of the debate, with the ability to block images, educate kids and parents, and save victims from abuse. CBIS had previously sent letters to each company inquiring about their content filtering options available on mobile devices. We are currently building a coalition of Catholic investors to join us in engaging each of our telecom companies.

• Issue : Violence
  EXPAND
  No coming updates from CRI for this category