C urrently celebrating their 46th year, the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility pioneered the use of shareholder advocacy to press companies on environmental, social, and governance issues. Their coalition of over 300 global institutional investors currently represents more than $400 billion in managed assets. Leveraging their equity ownership in some of the world’s largest and most powerful companies, ICCR members regularly engage management to identify and mitigate social and environmental risks resulting from corporate operations and policies.

While ICCR members never shy away from making the moral case for action, their fundamental proposition as investors is that responsible and sustainable business practices - and a strong corporate culture of ethics - are in the long-term interest of both companies and investors. Examples of ICCR member initiatives include calling for increased due diligence to eliminate forced labor risks in global supply chains, curbing GHG emissions to align with the 2° warming scenario established in the Paris Climate Agreement, pressing for more sustainable food systems, improved corporate water stewardship policies and more affordable and accessible health care and financial services.Their members represent faith-based organizations, socially responsible asset management companies, unions, foundations, and other responsible investors working alongside a global network of NGO and business partners. Together they are committed to moving the current business focus away from achieving short-term returns and towards sustainable strategies that advance the common good.

How They Work: 
Corporate Dialogues: Each year, ICCR members conduct roughly 300 dialogues with over 200 companies on a wide range of issues. These dialogues have very specific goals and often bear fruit in the form of meaningful reforms with long-term impact.

Shareholder Resolutions: When dialogues are unproductive, ICCR may file shareholder resolutions, which are included on company proxy statements and voted on by shareholders at annual meetings.  Strong votes are a signal to management that change is needed. ICCR members filed over 300 resolutions in 2017.

Roundtables: ICCR also hosts industry roundtables that convene multiple companies and investors, and other relevant stakeholders like NGOs, community groups, and industry trade associations to accelerate progress on a specific issue.

Policy Advocacy: ICCR uses its institutional voice to promote public policies that directly relate to investor engagements with corporations on environmental and social issues. 

Their Mission: Through the lens of faith, ICCR builds a more just and sustainable world by integrating social values into corporate and investor actions. Learn more about their current work in their Annual Report.