Courtesy of Proxy Analytics, the table below summarizes proposals voted and the voting outcome of ESG-related shareholder proposals season-to-date. “New” proposals are those voted the week of May 14.
Compared to the 2022 proxy season, by proposal category, average support has declined season-over-season as follows (with the second percentage figure for each proposal category adjusted to reflect the percentage decline excluding proposals with a favorable or no management recommendation and anti-ESG proposals, which reportedly tend to skew the results): Governance (5.4% | 5.1%); Diversity & Human Capital (11.2% | 8%); Environmental & Natural Capital (10.7% | 11.6%); Human Rights-related (6.1% | 11.4%); Political & Civic Activities (5.4% | 0.2%).
Based on its review of 712 Russell 3000 proxy filings thus far this proxy season, Semler Brossy reported these and other noteworthy voting results as of May 18:
Median shareholder support for social proposals (87 proposals) and environmental proposals (38 proposals) voted so far this season is 17% and 23%, respectively, reflecting a decline in support compared to last (full) season’s 22% (187 proposals) and 27% (65 proposals), respectively.
Average support for directors thus far in 2023 remains steady (0.80% higher than 2022) at 95.3%, with female director candidates garnering 1.1% more support on average than male director candidates.