Resolution
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DISCLOSE CLIMATE DATA at EXXONMOBIL
WHEREAS:
* Corporations have a social
responsibility to create value for shareholders and benefits for society.
However, companies acting to maximize shareholder value may
in the course of business impose costs on the public,
including environmental degradation and climate change. It
is in the long-term interest of society to minimize these
"externalities," partly because they may hamper
economic growth.
* Government is responsible for creating
standards for business conduct that will ensure respect for the
environment and the public welfare. It is in the interest of shareholders for
companies to act within a legal and regulatory framework
that is consistent, predictable and effective.
* Effective policymaking requires the best
possible information. Without the cooperation of business,
policymakers may lack crucial information that may impact
the quality of regulation. Companies have a responsibility
to be as transparent as possible in providing information to
the public and the government.
WHEREAS:
* The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change (IPCC), the international body of experts charged with
climate change research, stated in its 2001 Third Assessment
Report: "There is new and stronger evidence that most
of the warming observed over the last 50 years is
attributable to human activity...Human influences will
continue to change atmospheric composition throughout the
21st century."
* The study describes climate impacts,
such as higher global temperatures and increased precipitation,
as "very likely."
* The National Academy of Sciences (NAS)
concurs: "The degree of confidence in the IPCC assessment is
higher today than it was 10, or even five years ago...there
is general agreement that the observed warming is real and
particularly strong within the past 20 years."
* Exxon Mobil has funded scientific
studies and made public statements regarding the science of climate change
that appear to conflict with these conclusions. According to
the June 2002 edition of Exxon Mobil Perspectives:
"There continue to be substantial and
well-documented gaps in climate science. These gaps limit
scientists' ability to assess the extent of any human
influence on climate..."
WHEREAS:
* A worldwide movement towards greater
regulation to mitigate climate change has resulted from IPCC reports.
Consistent with its own position, Exxon Mobil opposes most
such regulation. Yet, it has not released primary research
or an analysis of data supporting its conclusions. The lack
of such information prevents shareholders, policymakers, and
the public from being able to make decisions based on the
facts the company claims to have.
RESOLVED:
* That, by the 2005 annual shareholder
meeting, the Board of Directors make available to shareholders all
research data relevant to ExxonMobil's stated position on
the science of climate change, omitting proprietary
information and at reasonable cost.
Supporting Statement:
These data should:
Explain the specific differences between
the company's position and that of the IPCC and NAS.
Describe company claims about 'gaps in
climate science.'
Project the estimated costs of mitigating
climate change compared to the costs of failing to do so.
Discuss all relevant peer reviewed
research data leading to the company's conclusions,
including data that do not support the company's position.
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