2006 Social Impact
Download our 2006
Social Impact Updates (PDF Format)
2006
Highlights
As a shareholder in the Domini Funds, you make a difference
in the world. Below are highlights of how you made a difference in 2006.
“Most Activist”: Domini was one of
four mutual fund families rated “most activist” by The Corporate Library, a
respected information resource on corporate governance. This meant we were
least likely to support management, and most likely to support shareholder
resolutions on corporate governance and social and environmental issues in our
proxy voting. (Interested in how your other mutual fund companies rated? See www.fundvotes.com.)
Human Rights: Coca-Cola has been accused of draining
aquifers in a drought-stricken region of India, and of complicity in the deaths
of trade unionists in Colombia. As part of our ongoing dialogue, we met with
Coke’s new CEO and asked the company to address human rights in a more
comprehensive way.
Freedom of
Expression and the Internet: Domini
achieved a significant vote of 29% for a resolution calling on Cisco Systems
to report on its involvement with repressive regimes seeking to “balkanize”
the Internet through censorship. Domini also joined a multi-stakeholder group
working to address violations of fundamental human rights, including freedom of
expression and privacy. The group includes Microsoft, Google, Vodafone,
and Yahoo! in addition to a range of human rights groups and academics.
Climate Change:Following
a shareholder resolution filed (and later withdrawn) by Domini, Devon Energy
committed to measure and publicly report its greenhouse gas emissions. As
part of this agreement, Domini also hosted a meeting with Devon’s president.
Devon is the largest U.S-based independent oil and gas producer. Working with
the Carbon Disclosure Project, we wrote to more than 200 U.S. and European
companies asking them to disclose their greenhouse gas emissions and climate
change policies.
Forestry Practices:After discussions with Domini, Kimberly-Clark
commissioned a study to evaluate the feasibility of phasing out its use of
wood fiber from sources not certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).
Also following discussions with us, Limited Brands, the parent company
of Victoria’s Secret, agreed with the nonprofit ForestEthics that it would use
more wood certified by the FSC, increase the recycled content of its paper, and
reduce the use of paper in catalogs.
