Some 360 social and environmental shareholder resolutions were proposed to U.S. companies through May 2007, while some 367 of these proxy matters were proposed in all of 2006, according to Social Investment Forum (SIF).

Top categories so far for 2007 are resolutions on the environment, including climate change (79 in 2007, compared with 76 in 2006), increased disclosure of political contributions and trade-association ties (62 in 2007; 44 in 2006) and enhanced sustainability reporting (40 in 2007; 20 in 2006).

This pressure has resulted, for example, in ConocoPhillips announcing it will join the U.S. Climate Action Partnership, an association of U.S. businesses, and will fund an eight-year, $22.5-million research program at Iowa State University to develop biofuels technology. SIF member Trillium Asset Management and co-filers withdrew a proposal that asked the company to develop renewable energy alternatives.

Increased scrutiny of corporations' trade-association ties is because some trade groups dismiss global warming, SIF reports. As for sustainability, proponents want assurances that companies' practices support longevity; the resolutions usually suggest that companies follow reporting standards developed by Amsterdam-based Global Reporting Initiative.

SIF reports that fewer than half of the proposals on sustainability reporting are likely to result in votes. Proponents have withdrawn 20 of these proposals after target companies have agreed to issue or expand their sustainability reporting. The nonprofit SIF has more than 500 members, including financial planners, banks, mutual-fund companies, research companies, foundations and community investment institutions.

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