Plum Creek, the nation’s largest private landowner, agreed to change its bylaws to democratize vote counting practices to help ensure fair and representative voting.
Success Stories
For good and bad, companies have enormous influence on our lives. But they listen to their shareholders, customers and neighbors. You just have to speak up. Still not convinced? Just take a look at some of the success stories below.
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Plum Creek Timber Co.
Nordstrom, Inc.
Nordstrom agreed to improve water use practices throughout its supply chain after investor and consumer engagement.
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Time Warner, Inc.
Time Warner re-implemented and improved on sustainability reporting, which it had earlier suspended, after discussions with concerned citizens.
Johnson & Johnson, PepsiCo and Procter & Gamble
After pressure from investors and shareholders, PepsiCo, Johnson & Johnson and Procter & Gamble agreed to recognize the human right to water, meaning they acknowledged the right to adequate, clean and affordable water for all communities that they impact.
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Hewlett-Packard Company
Hewlett-Packard Company listened to shareholders and will limit severance packages paid to senior executives who are terminated.
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
After pressure from consumers and shareholders, Walmart now includes sexual orientation and gender identity non-discrimination in its corporate non-discrimination policy.
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Penn Virginia Corporation
Penn Virginia CEO, A. James Dearlove, resigned after 61% of shareholders voted down management’s executive compensation proposal.
General Mills Inc.
Concerned consumers and citizens convinced General Mills to address its water use, and since 2006, it has decreased its factory water usage by 25%.
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Dr. Pepper Snapple Group
Shareholder pressure caused the company to add policies prohibiting discrimination based on employees' gender identity or expression.
Chesapeake Energy Corp.
Concerned citizens and shareholders pressured Chesapeake Energy to voluntarily disclose the chemicals it uses in the process of hydraulic fracturing.
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The Hershey Company
Pressure from shareholders and customers led Hershey to commit to responsible sourcing of palm oil and begin purchasing Fair Trade chocolate for its “Bliss” line of candies.
Sara Lee Corporation
Pressure from shareholders and customers led Sara Lee to commit to responsible sourcing of palm oil for its products.
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General Mills Inc.
General Mills, listened to concerned citizens regarding sustainability, and found an innovative way to cut its carbon footprint by 21% by burning leftover oat hulls to produce enough steam to heat its plant and produce oat flour used to make Cheerios.
Nestle
After discussions with shareholders, Nestle stated that it will take responsibility for collecting and recycling used bottles and cans, actively supporting extended producer responsibility laws for post-consumer packaging.
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Coca-Cola Company
After discussions with shareholders, Coca-Cola stated that it will take responsibility for collecting and recycling used bottles and cans, actively supporting extended producer responsibility laws for post-consumer packaging.
Macy's Inc.
Consumer pressure convinced Macy's to introduce a collection of decorative area rugs certified as child labor free.
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Research in Motion Ltd.
Research in Motion, the maker of Blackberry's, listened to shareholders and separated the roles of CEO and Chairman.
Hewlett-Packard Company
Hewlett-Packard Company listened to shareholders and separated the roles of CEO and Chairman.
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Cedar Fair LP
Amusement park operation, Cedar Fair, listened to shareholders and separated the roles of CEO and Chairman.
DineEquity Inc.
DineEquity, the owners of IHOP and Applebee's, was persuaded by shareholders to commit to purchasing cage-free eggs for 2% of its total supply.
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General Electric Company
In April 2011, General Electric shareholders persuaded GE to better align CEO Jeff Immelt's compensation with company performance.
