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The Tesla (TSLA.O) CEO told advertisers who have fled his social media platform X over antisemitic content to "Go fuck yourself!" Several business communications analysts said they couldn't remember a similar case of an executive publicly cursing at their customers. Musk, Tesla and X did not respond to requests for comment. Musk apologized for it and then cursed and dismissed the concerns of the advertisers fleeing the platform. Cappelli said Musk wishes to see himself as a rock star, not a business leader who needs to take account of many constituencies.

Persons: Elon Musk, Porte, Gonzalo Fuentes, It's, Andy Challenger, Challenger, Michael O'Leary, Jim Hagedorn, Sam Zell, Musk, Yehuda Baruch, Baruch, Peter Cappelli, Cappelli, Ross Kerber, Lisa Shumaker Organizations: SpaceX, Tesla, Twitter, Viva Technology, Porte de, REUTERS, Ryanair, Boeing, Scotts Miracle, University of Southampton, University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School, Thomson Locations: Paris, France

A State Street Global Advisors banner is hung outside the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York, U.S., March 8, 2021. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBOSTON, Nov 29 (Reuters) - State Street's (STT.N) asset-management arm will give retail investors an option to fully back corporate boards as it brings online features to allow fund shareholders to control their proxy voting rights, executives said. The option comes as State Street and rivals move to devolve proxy voting powers to shareholders on matters like director elections or environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues. But even that policy directed some proxy votes to be cast against boards' recommendations on governance questions like executive pay or share structure, said Lori Heinel, global chief investment officer at State Street Global Advisors. State Street Global Advisors manages $3.7 trillion in all.

Persons: Brendan McDermid, Lori Heinel, let's, Ross Kerber, Stephen Coates Organizations: Global Advisors, New York Stock Exchange, REUTERS, Rights BOSTON, Street, Street Global Advisors, Services, ISS, Republican, Thomson Locations: New York, U.S

☆ New York City investment chief calls on Tesla to sanction Musk unless he apologizes
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( Ross Kerber | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Lander's remarks make him the latest Tesla shareholder to call on the EV maker to rein in Musk. Musk endorsed an antisemitic post on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, on Nov. 15. It remains unclear whether Tesla's board will take any action. If Musk fails to do so, Tesla's board should consider actions such as docking his pay, suspending him or terminating him, Lander added. He wrote to Tesla board chair Robyn Denholm on Monday that failing to take action would show Tesla's code of business ethics to be "toothless."

Persons: Tesla, Elon Musk, Rishi Sunak, Kirsty Wigglesworth, Brad Lander, Lander, Lander's, Ross Gerber, Musk, Linda Yaccarino, Robyn Denholm, Henry Ford, Nazism, Kristin Hull, Nia, Tesla's, Ross Kerber, David Gaffen, Sheila Dang, Greg Roumeliotis, Matthew Lewis Organizations: British, New York, Reuters, Nia Impact, Gerber Kawasaki Wealth & Investment Management, U.S . Securities, Exchange Commission, SpaceX, Boring Company, Ford Foundation, White, Media, America, Defamation League, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, New, New York City, New York, Dallas

This raised doubts over whether SEC rules would survive a court challenge. An SEC spokesperson declined to comment on Scope 3 emissions and when the climate disclosure rules will be finalized. Even some advocates of climate action have expressed concerns about the logistical challenges of accurately calculating Scope 3 emissions. For many businesses, however, Scope 3 emissions represent more than 70% of their carbon footprint, according to consulting firm Deloitte. Some voluntary initiatives such as the International Sustainability Standards Board already specify that it is best practice to disclose Scope 3 emissions.

Persons: Rebecca Cook, Gary Gensler, Joe Biden's, Biden, Gensler, Jarrett Renshaw, Douglas Gillison, Isla Binnie, Chris Prentice, Ross Kerber, Simon Jessop, Michelle Price, Greg Roumeliotis, David Gregorio Our Organizations: REUTERS, U.S . Securities, Exchange Commission, SEC, Union, Republican, Commission, Democrat, Deloitte, Gensler, Republican SEC, Sustainability, U.S . Chamber, Commerce, Thomson Locations: Detroit , Michigan, U.S, CALIFORNIA, California, Washington, New York, Boston, London

☆ Apple is not passing on costs of climate goals to consumers, exec says
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

People stand outside an Apple Store as Apple's new iPhone 15 officially goes on sale across China, in Shanghai, China September 22, 2023. "I want to do it in a way that other businesses can say this isn't because they’re Apple," said Jackson, referring to Cook's direction. Critics say it is easier for a tech company like Apple to meet such goals than it would be for corporations in more energy-intensive industries. Jackson also said Apple is working with smaller processing companies to recycle rare earths and other materials. "That's somewhere Apple can invest and then help to scale and bring (other) businesses along," she said.

Persons: Aly, Lisa Jackson, Alessandra Galloni, Jackson, Tim Cook, Jackson nodded, Jeffrey Dastin, Kenneth Li, Ross Kerber, Daniel Wallis Organizations: Apple, REUTERS, Reuters NEXT, Reuters, U.S . Environmental Protection Agency, Apple Watch, Thomson Locations: China, Shanghai, New York, California, U.S, Boston

☆ CalPERS to double climate investments, consider asset sales
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-03 | by ( Ross Kerber | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Staff for the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) said the plan will boost returns for the $444 billion system, the largest in the U.S., plus cut in half its portfolio's "emissions intensity," a measure of emissions relative to output. Cashion said the new investments will be spread among companies that do things like mitigate emissions or make infrastructure more resilient to climate change, selected across different asset classes. Additional proposed legislation would require state funds to sell fossil fuel stocks, following systems in other states such as Maine. CalPERS has opposed the idea, saying it would do little to limit emissions and could compromise returns. But he said CalPERS will develop a process to evaluate whether a company is prepared for stronger climate regulations or shifts in consumer demand.

Persons: Peter Cashion, Cashion, CalPERS, Ross Kerber, David Gregorio Our Organizations: Staff, California Public Employees, Democratic, United Nations, Thomson Locations: U.S, California, Maine

☆ Vanguard joins BlackRock, cuts support for shareholder items on climate, social issues
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-28 | by ( Ross Kerber | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The logo for Vanguard is displayed on a screen on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., June 1, 2022. Support for shareholder resolutions calling for such steps has declined at U.S. companies this year, with top asset manager BlackRock saying it backed the mostly-advisory measures just 7% of the time, down from 22% last year. Like BlackRock, Vanguard noted new securities regulations that make it harder for companies to leave questions off their ballots. In a note on its website, Vanguard also said many resolutions sought changes that might not be needed. Like BlackRock, Vanguard did not address how the criticism may have shaped votes this year but said its approach to evaluating shareholder proposals "has been consistent over time."

Persons: Brendan McDermid, Ross Kerber, Diane Craft Organizations: Vanguard, New York Stock Exchange, REUTERS, U.S, BlackRock, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, Pennsylvania, BlackRock

B REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsCompanies BlackRock Inc FollowAug 23 (Reuters) - Top asset manager BlackRock on Wednesday reported a further decline in its support for shareholder resolutions on environmental and social themes, citing corporate progress on the areas and poor crafting of the measures by filers. In an annual stewardship report being released with the end of the 12-month corporate annual meeting cycle on June 30, New York-based BlackRock said it supported 7% of 399 shareholder proposals on environmental and social issues. In the newest report BlackRock said many of the measures called for changes that would not be helpful to companies in its funds. Data has previously shown investor support slipping for many resolutions, and as companies strike compromises with activists. BlackRock has been under fire from conservative U.S. politicians who say it has over-emphasized sustainability issues, citing past proxy votes.

Persons: Shannon Stapleton, BlackRock, Ross Kerber, Isla Binie, Simon Jessop, Sonali Paul Organizations: REUTERS, BlackRock, filers, Thomson Locations: BlackRock, New York, U.S, Boston, London

☆ US boardroom diversity gains slow as S&P 500 seeks resumes from finance
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( Ross Kerber | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] A boardroom is seen at the legal offices of the law firm Polsinelli in New York City, New York, U.S., June 3, 2021. REUTERS/Andrew KellyAug 9 (Reuters) - Boards of S&P 500 companies made recruiting directors with financial expertise their top priority over the past year, slowing boardroom gains for minorities, according to a new report. According to research firm Equilar, just three of 68 financial services CEOs in the S&P 500 are nonwhite. Investors have sought more boardroom diversity as part of a broader U.S. reckoning on race relations. The decline in the share of new minority directors came from a drop in Black or African-American directors.

Persons: Polsinelli, Andrew Kelly, Spencer Stuart, Julie Daum, Spencer Stuart's, Daum, Ross Kerber, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: REUTERS, Investors, Thomson Locations: New York City , New York, U.S

☆ Analysis: US institutional investors could face restrictions on Chinese stock ownership
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( Ross Kerber | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Chinese companies including Tencent (0700.HK) and Alibaba (9988.HK) accounted for 31% of the MSCI Emerging Markets index (.MSCIEF) in July. RED-FLAGGED COMPANIESMSCI and rivals removed seven Chinese companies from global indexes in 2020 because of U.S. ownership restrictions. The committee's letters this week cited contractors to China's People's Liberation Army it identified in BlackRock funds or MSCI indexes. Some of the companies have been flagged such as appearing on the U.S. Treasury's "Chinese Military-Industrial Complex" companies list. For companies on it, U.S. persons and asset managers face purchase and sale restrictions but not divestment requirements.

Persons: Tingshu Wang, Biden, Jo Ritcey, Donohue, there’ll, BlackRock, MSCI, RUSH, Mike Gallagher, Gallagher, Todd Rosenbluth, Rosenbluth, Russell, Ross Kerber, Karin Strohecker, Michael Martina, Patricia Zengerle, Selena Li, Megan Davies, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: Waterdrop Inc, New York Stock Exchange, REUTERS, U.S, BlackRock, Washington, Chinese Communist Party, HK, Vanguard FTSE, Vanguard, FTSE Russell, People's, Ritcey, Department of, Thomson Locations: U.S, New, Beijing, China, BlackRock, Washington, Taiwan, Ukraine, MSCI, Boston, London, Hong Kong

☆ New York City pension chief urges pay clawbacks at Bank of America
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-18 | by ( Ross Kerber | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Since the financial crisis of 2008, provisions to recover pay have been strengthened at top U.S. banks to limit risk-taking. Bank of America did not admit wrongdoing in its July 11 agreements with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. Lander oversees public-employee pension funds with some $300 million worth of Bank of America (BAC.N) stock. It said Bank of America charged multiple fees to customers who did not have enough funds in their accounts from February 2018 until February 2022. The bank said it voluntarily reduced overdraft fees and eliminated all nonsufficient fund fees in 2022.

Persons: Brad Lander, Lander, Wells, Michael Garland, Ross Kerber, Matthew Lewis Organizations: New York, of America's, Bank of America, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Reuters, Bank of, Human, of America, Thomson Locations: New, Charlotte , North Carolina, Reuters , New York City, New York City, Boston

☆ BlackRock to expand proxy voting choice to retail ETF investors
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-17 | by ( Ross Kerber | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

FILE PHOTO: The BlackRock logo is pictured outside their headquarters in the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York, U.S., May 25, 2021. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri/File Photo(Reuters) - The world’s top asset manager BlackRock said it will offer proxy voting choices to U.S. retail investors of its biggest exchange-traded fund, expanding a strategy that could blunt criticism of how the firm considers environmental, social and governance (ESG) matters. Investors will not be able to specify votes in specific company elections. While many clients will rely on the votes BlackRock will continue to cast, “consistent with our fiduciary duty as an investment manager, others want the choice to participate in proxy voting more directly,” said Joud Abdel Majeid, Global Head of BlackRock Investment Stewardship, in a statement. Rivals including State Street and Vanguard have their own programs to devolve proxy voting rights.

Persons: Carlo Allegri, BlackRock, Glass, ”, Joud Abdel Majeid Organizations: REUTERS, BlackRock, New, Services, Glass Lewis, managements, Investment, Rivals, State, Vanguard, Republican Locations: BlackRock, Manhattan, New York City , New York, U.S, New York, Republican U.S

☆ Analysis-New anti-ESG rule in Missouri offers US Republicans another path away from 'wokeness'
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-10 | by ( Ross Kerber | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

(Reuters) - A new Missouri securities rule offers a template for Republican U.S. state officials who want to advance an “anti-woke” business agenda even as such ideas struggle for legislative backing. Ashcroft acted after Republican lawmakers failed to pass a similar measure during the state’s legislative session that ended on May 12, amid infighting over which bills should be prioritized. Concerns over costs, bureaucracy and economic fallout led to bills stalling or passing in weakened form even in so-called red states, where Republicans dominate state government. Several corporate attorneys said other Republican officials may adopt Ashcroft’s playbook and act on their own. According to a spokesperson, Ashcroft initiated the rulemaking before the legislative session began, essentially as a backup plan in case lawmakers did not act on the same idea introduced in January.

Persons: Shannon Stapleton, John “ Jay ” Ashcroft, Ashcroft, “, ” overreach, Ashcroft’s, ”, Beth I.Z, Boland, Lardner, Larry Fink, ’ Ashcroft, ” Ashcroft, can’t, Dan Mehan, Lance Dial, Chuck Gray, West, Ron DeSantis, Walt Disney Organizations: Reuters, Republican U.S, REUTERS, Merriam, Webster, Strategy, “, Foley, Republicans, Morningstar, BlackRock, state’s, Representatives, Republican, Missouri Chamber of Commerce, Missouri, Florida Locations: Missouri, Appleton City , Missouri, U.S, Boston, Wyoming, ESG

☆ Analysis: New anti-ESG rule in Missouri offers US Republicans another path away from 'wokeness'
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-10 | by ( Ross Kerber | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Ashcroft acted after Republican lawmakers failed to pass a similar measure during the state's legislative session that ended on May 12, amid infighting over which bills should be prioritized. Concerns over costs, bureaucracy and economic fallout led to bills stalling or passing in weakened form even in so-called red states, where Republicans dominate state government. Several corporate attorneys said other Republican officials may adopt Ashcroft's playbook and act on their own. According to a spokesperson, Ashcroft initiated the rulemaking before the legislative session began, essentially as a backup plan in case lawmakers did not act on the same idea introduced in January. EXTRA ARROWSFinancial executives who so far have avoided the strongest laws worry that the possibility of executive or administrative actions, as in Missouri, gives state officials flexibility to keep up the pressure.

Persons: Shannon Stapleton, Walt Disney, Missouri's, John " Jay, Ashcroft, Ashcroft's, Beth I.Z, Boland, Lardner, Larry Fink, Dan Mehan, Lance Dial, Chuck Gray, West, Ron DeSantis, Ross Kerber, Greg Roumeliotis, Anna Driver, Matthew Lewis Organizations: REUTERS, Walt, Republican U.S, Merriam, Webster, Strategy, Foley, Republicans, Morningstar, BlackRock, Reuters Graphics, Reuters, state's, Representatives, Republican, Missouri Chamber of Commerce, Missouri, Florida, Thomson Locations: Appleton City , Missouri, U.S, Missouri, Boston, BLK.N, Wyoming, ESG

☆ Republicans question BlackRock fund governance, revisiting old concerns
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-07 | by ( Ross Kerber | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

July 7 (Reuters) - A group of 15 Republican state attorneys general have questioned whether directors of BlackRock mutual funds are sufficiently independent of the world's largest asset manager. The letter was addressed to ten individuals listed in a BlackRock filing as nominees to a board that oversees BlackRock closed-end mutual funds. Among other things, they said BlackRock fund trustees who serve as directors of companies where BlackRock owns more than 5% of shares could lead to independence concerns. They also cite how BlackRock fund directors are responsible for dozens of funds - exceeding BlackRock's own "overboarding" guideline for public company boards. Critics have raised similar issues in the past about whether well-paid mutual fund directors are positioned to speak up.

Persons: Austin Knudsen, Ross Kerber, Diane Craft Organizations: Republican, Reuters, Montana Attorney, BlackRock, AGs, Thomson Locations: Montana, BlackRock

☆ BlackRock's Fink says he's stopped using 'weaponised' term ESG
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-26 | by ( Isla Binnie | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

June 26 (Reuters) - BlackRock (BLK.N) boss Larry Fink, at the forefront of the business world's adoption of environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) standards, has stopped using the term, saying it has become too politicized. But the world's largest asset manager hasn't changed its stance on ESG issues, Fink told the Aspen Ideas Festival on Sunday. Republican politicians have attacked ESG as a way for the corporate world to implement what they argue is a politically liberal agenda, triggering a backlash from Democrats who are seeking to defend it. "I don't use the word ESG any more, because it's been entirely weaponised ... by the far left and weaponised by the far right," Fink said. "We had ... one of the best years ever, but I'm ashamed of being part of this conversation," said Fink, adding that his annual letters to investors that addressed ESG issues were never meant to be political statements.

Persons: Larry Fink, hasn't, Fink, it's, " Fink, Isla Binnie, Ross Kerber, Mark Potter Organizations: Aspen Ideas, Republican, United, BlackRock, Aspen, Thomson Locations: BlackRock, United States, United Nations, Texas, decarbonization

☆ Tesla returns to S&P 500 ESG index with more environmental disclosures
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-21 | by ( Ross Kerber | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Mike BlakeJune 21 (Reuters) - Tesla Inc (TSLA.O) has returned to the S&P 500 ESG index, the sustainable investing-focused market index, after the electric car maker added environmental disclosures. The re-inclusion of Tesla is largely symbolic because only about $8 billion in assets track the S&P 500 ESG index, a tiny fraction of the $15.6 trillion in assets that track the S&P 500 index, according to its provider, part of S&P Global (SPGI.N). Tesla was among 39 companies added to the S&P 500 ESG index effective May 1 as part of an annual rebalancing. Other companies added included Chevron (CVX.N) and Fox (FOXA.O), while 23 companies were removed including Exxon (XOM.N) and Oracle (ORCL.N). S&P said it has a review underway that "relates to racial discrimination in Tesla factories," which could impact future scores.

Persons: Mike Blake, Tesla, Elon Musk, Todd Rosenbluth, Ross Kerber, Lisa Shumaker Organizations: Tesla, REUTERS, Tesla Inc, P, Chevron, Fox, Exxon, Oracle, Thomson Locations: Long Beach , California, U.S

☆ US House Judiciary leader subpoenas documents from climate groups
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-14 | by ( Ross Kerber | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

June 14 (Reuters) - A U.S. congressional leader on Wednesday issued a subpoena seeking information from climate activists over antitrust issues, joining other Republicans who have criticized companies' growing concern for environmental, social and governance (ESG) matters. Ceres is a sponsor of the latter, an investor coalition aiming to convince companies to address climate change by cutting emissions or disclosing transition details. The letter included a subpoena and states Ceres did not adequately respond to a previous information request. He said membership in the coalition did not pose antitrust issues since investors chose whether to join and use the group to engage with stock issuers. It's like you and your friend deciding you want to get a burger so you go to a burger place," he said.

Persons: Jim Jordan, Ceres, Mike Boudett, Ross Kerber, Matthew Lewis Organizations: U.S, Republican, Thomson Locations: Boston

☆ US companies face less pressure for climate and social reforms
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-09 | by ( Ross Kerber | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Jeenah MoonJune 9 (Reuters) - Shareholder support for proxy resolutions on topics including climate change and workforce diversity dropped significantly this spring, analysts said, as tough proposals from activists met with growing political pressure on fund firms' voting. Support for resolutions on social issues fell to 20% this year so far, from 26% in 2022 and 33% in 2021, Georgeson said. He declined to discuss specific companies, but his description fit results like at major U.S. banks that defeated calls to wind down financing for major fossil fuel projects. "These dynamics have led to an overall decline in investor support for environment and social shareholder proposals," Colton said. Both have previously said they vote on a case-by-case basis and noted an increasing number of proposals affect support rates.

Persons: Russell, Georgeson, Kilian Moote, ESG, Sow, Andrew Behar, Ford, Behar, Benjamin Colton, Colton, Scott Shepard, Ross Kerber, Sabrina Valle, Lincoln Organizations: New, REUTERS, Ford, eBay, Exxon, Street Global Advisors, BlackRock, Vanguard, Center for Public Policy Research, IBM, National Center, Thomson Locations: New York City, Manhattan, Weehawken , New Jersey, U.S, China, Houston

May 21 (Reuters) - The absence of women from the slate of potential Morgan Stanley (MS.N) CEO successors underscores the importance of cultivating and keeping diverse talent, corporate governance experts say. Morgan Stanley co-presidents Ted Pick and Andy Saperstein, and head of investment management Dan Simkowitz, are the front-runners to succeed James Gorman, who said on Friday he plans to step down as chief executive within a year. The most recent U.S. workforce diversity data comprehensively reported by the Wall Street banks shows women were less represented in leadership positions at Morgan Stanley than at other top U.S. banks as of 2021. A Morgan Stanley representative declined to comment. To be sure, Morgan Stanley has several women in top roles, including Chief Financial Officer Sharon Yeshaya.

May 8 (Reuters) - Vanguard Group, the largest provider of mutual funds, has secured regulatory approval to continue to own big stakes in U.S. power utilities, overcoming Republican concerns over its environmental, social and governance (ESG) policies. Regulators had previously allowed Vanguard to exceed that antitrust limit on the basis that this would not interfere with the utilities' operations. Vanguard countered that its funds do not exert control over the decisions of the utilities. Vanguard reiterated in a statement on Monday that it leaves "management decisions to companies and policy decisions to policymakers." A representative for Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita, one of the leaders of the group challenging the FERC extension, said he would comment in coming days.

☆ Top US CEO pay rose 7.7% last year, outpacing inflation, study finds
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( Ross Kerber | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

May 3 (Reuters) - Median pay for top U.S. CEOs rose 7.7% last year to a record $22.3 million, a new study found, as big stock awards helped the group stay ahead of inflation while U.S. workers' pay fell behind. Pay among the CEOs rose faster than for U.S. workers in 2022 despite tight labor markets. Total return for the companies whose CEO pay was studied was negative 11%. He added that amid the macroeconomic uncertainty, "There's still a little more of this incentivizing of executives that's leading to the increases in CEO pay." "Our CEO’s compensation is and will continue to be 100% performance based," the spokesperson said.

[1/2] Florida Governor Ron DeSantis walks outside the Treasury during his visit in London, Britain April 28, 2023. The bill is one of the furthest-reaching efforts yet by U.S. Republicans against sustainable investing efforts, and a clear political message from DeSantis, a likely presidential candidate. We do not want them engaged on these ideological joyrides," said DeSantis just before he signed the bill at a webcast event. Analysts said the legislation goes further than other state anti-ESG bills, even as business groups worry the efforts pose financial risks. There are climate and weather risks that are highly relevant, especially in a state like Florida, and would be captured in our assessment of credit risk," Torgerson said.

☆ Factbox: Industry targets of U.S. Republicans' anti-ESG efforts
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-22 | by ( Ross Kerber | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Here is a look at major efforts and, in some cases, their impact on specific industries. In addition, legislation pending in states, including Texas and Florida, aims to limit the consideration of ESG factors by pension funds, which could cut off fund firms from public contracts. Top fund firms such as BlackRock Inc (BLK.N) and State Street Corp (STT.N) - both NZAM members - have said their ESG efforts only support clients concerns, for instance the view that climate change poses investment risks. Several of the bills have been passed into law in states including Mississippi and West Virginia. Republicans failed to gain control of the U.S. Senate in elections held Nov. 8, however, limiting their investigative powers.

A Reuters review of testimony, previously unreported public documents and interviews with elected leaders, lobbyists and attorneys detail mounting challenges to many pending anti-ESG bills. The tussles have financial implications for some of the largest investment firms that manage billions of dollars for state pension plans. Lauren Doroghazi, senior vice president at government relations consultant MultiState Associates, said the debates show lawmakers coming to terms with the anti-ESG bills' practical impact. Several public pension systems raised concerns about it, including the largest, the $182 billion Texas Teacher Retirement System (TRS). For instance, if federally-regulated local banks faced new national rules on an issue like climate change disclosures, banks would need special permissions from local officials to keep public business in Utah he said.

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