Shareholder advocacy brings change. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

[Image alt text: As You Sow 30th Anniversary Logo]Dear John,

Even with our consistent progress, we feel the urgency to go faster, reach further, and work smarter – to keep the momentum going.

There is so much to do, and no time to waste. Every one of your actions makes a positive difference. We want to thank you for all that you do to help build the world we all want to see – safe, just, and sustainable for all.

[Image alt text: Skyscrapers as seen from the street below]

Largest Public Companies Bending Toward Justice

As You Sow’s racial justice and workplace equity scorecards offer a benchmark that distinguishes leaders from laggards. It assesses companies on 61 key performance indicators (KPIs) of racial justice, environmental racism, and workplace equity disclosure. Four of the KPIs specifically focus on environmental racism and track corporate environmental violations, fines, and penalties; core products and services; and legal actions taken by BIPOC communities against the corporation.

“The new civil rights and racial equity audit KPI is an important addition to our racial justice scorecard. Companies have responded by performing their own voluntary audits as they see it is a competitive advantage and informs their policies and practice on justice, creating a culture that attracts and retains the best and the brightest,” said Olivia Knight, Racial Justice Initiative Manager at As You Sow.

The scorecards identify best practices, encourage corporate leadership, and informs shareholder advocacy.

[Image alt text: Business people putting their hands together as if they're about to cheer]

Linking Workplace Diversity to Financial Outperformance

As You Sow’s new report links Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO-1) diversity data of 277 companies to 14 key financial performance metrics. “Workplace Diversity and Financial Performance < [link removed] > ” shows that diversity is a material factor and warrants pressure on companies from investors, legislators, and other stakeholders to increase their disclosures. Meredith Benton, Workplace Equity Program Manager at As You Sow and principal at WhistleStop Capital, said, “Investors' expectations for corporate DEI data disclosure have already increased to include the release of hiring, promotion, and retention rate data, alongside a company's EEO-1. These inclusion factors help show how well a company manages its workforce diversity. Without this, investors are unable to assess the effectiveness of a company’s human capital management program.”

Inclusion data shows a positive association between diverse representation in management and stronger financial performance.

[Image alt text: Empty plastic bottles being studied by scientists]

Pepsi Pledges to Double Zero-Waste Packaging

Pepsi’s new global packaging goal commits to increase its percentage of beverages delivered through reusable models from 10% to 20% by 2030. The company said it will work to expand its home and workplace SodaStream business; increase refillable plastic and glass bottle use in selected markets; find ways to ensure more fountain drinks are served in reusable cups; and push growth in products it offers as powders and concentrates, like Gatorade.“We are pleased to have obtained significant commitments this year on boosting reuse/refill models of soft drink beverage companies whose packaging has been identified as a major contributor to global plastic pollution. We commend Pepsi for making this commitment,” said Conrad MacKerron, Senior Vice President of As You Sow.

Refillable bottles have demonstrated the ability to substantially cut plastic waste. We have the power to expand our reach, thanks to the support of passionate, dedicated, and generous people like you. Here’s to transformative change come to fruition in 2023.

Thank you for being with us!

For the future, [Image alt text: Photo of Jenna Belisle] Jenna L. Belisle

Director of Individual Giving As You Sow’s 30-year track record promoting environmental and social corporate responsibility and facilitating values-aligned investing spans many of the most important environmental and social issues facing us today, including climate change, ocean plastics, pesticides, racial justice, workplace diversity, and executive compensation. Click here to donate. < [link removed] >

Donate < [link removed] >

< [link removed] > < [link removed] > < [link removed] > < [link removed] >

As You Sow

2020 Milvia St

Suite 500

Berkeley, CA 94704

Mailing address:

Main Post Office

PO Box 751

Berkeley, CA 94701

[Image alt text: Charity Navigator Four Star emblem and Candid Platinum emblem]DISCLAIMER: As You Sow is not an investment advisor, nor do we provide financial planning, legal or tax advice.The content of our programming, publications and presentations is provided for informational and educational purposes only, and should not be considered as information sufficient upon which to base any decisions on investing, purchases, sales, trades, or any other investment transactions. We do not express an opinion on the future or expected value of any security or other interest and do not explicitly or implicitly recommend or suggest an investment strategy of any kind.

Copyright © 2023, All rights reserved.

You're getting this email because you've signed up for email updates.

Click here to update your preferences or unsubscribe. < [link removed] >