Shareholder advocacy
Praxis engages directly with companies and encourages them to pursue business practices that support positive social change.
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How we do it
Aspiring for a better world
As shareholders, we are part owners of companies. This means we can talk to the companies we own, and ask them about their policies and practices. Praxis believes it is our responsibility to encourage companies toward responsible business behavior.
Our focus
We are currently working with companies on issues of environmental sustainability, modern slavery – also known as human trafficking – and corporate responsibility.
Magnifying our voice
By working together with like-minded organizations, such as the Interfaith Center for Corporate Responsibility, we show that many people are interested in the issue.
Meaningful action
Communication with executives, board members and governments happens through shareholder resolutions, direct dialogue and coalition work.
Current advocacy initiatives
Environmental sustainability
We believe God calls us to be faithful stewards of all God has entrusted us. In this topic, we focus on climate change and toxic chemicals.
Modern slavery
Modern slavery is one way to describe the coercion and human trafficking of millions of people worldwide. We focus on ethical labor recruitment practices and cocoa farming in West Africa.
Responsibility issues
We work with companies on recognizing indigenous rights and curbing antibiotic use in farm animals.
Download the quarterly progress report to see the regular progress we’re making. Or take a look at the chart below for an overview of our work.
Environmental sustainability
| Company | Issue | Fund holdings* | Objective |
|---|---|---|---|
| ConocoPhillips | Climate change - oil and gas companies | Praxis Value Index Fund (1.16%); Praxis Impact Bond Fund (0.24%) | Encourage company to set greenhouse gas reduction goals, integrate carbon asset risk into future planning and align environmental goals with public policy. |
| Statoil | Climate change - oil and gas companies | Praxis International Index Fund (1.13%) | Ask company to withdraw from the Canadian oil sands and integrate carbon asset risk into future planning. Learn more. |
| DTE Energy | Climate change - utilities |
Praxis Value Index Fund (0.20%) | Request company to adapt its business model to enable increased deployment of low-carbon electricity generation and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Learn more. |
| Duke Energy | Climate change - utilities | Praxis Value Index Fund (0.96%) | Request company to adapt its business model to enable increased deployment of low-carbon electricity generation and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Learn more. |
| Southern Company | Climate change - utilities | Praxis Value Index Fund (0.73%); Praxis Growth Index Fund (0.09%) |
Request company to adapt its business model to enable increased deployment of low-carbon electricity generation and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Learn more. |
| NiSource | Climate change - utilities | Praxis Value Index Fund (0.18%) | Request company to adapt its business model to enable increased deployment of low-carbon electricity generation and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Learn more. |
| AES | Climate change - utilities | Praxis Value Index Fund (0.20%) | Request company to adapt its business model to enable increased deployment of low-carbon electricity generation and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Learn more. |
| EOG Resources | Hydraulic fracturing | Praxis Value Index Fund (0.61%) |
Ask company to better disclose the chemicals it uses, reduce methane emissions and mitigate water pollution. |
| Sherwin-Williams | Lead paint | Praxis Growth Index Fund (0.33%) | Encourage company to join the Global Alliance to Eliminate Lead in Paint and take proactive measures to phase out lead in paint. |
| CVS | Safe chemicals policy | Praxis Value Index Fund (0.68%); Praxis Impact Bond Fund (0.24%) |
Ask for company to provide regular updates on measures taken to identify and remove chemicals of concern from products. Learn more. |
| Target | Safe chemicals policy | Praxis Value Index Fund (0.41%) | Ask for company to provide regular updates on measures taken to identify and remove chemicals of concern from products. Learn more. |
Modern slavery
| Company | Issue | Fund holdings* | Objective |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barry Callebaut | Child labor in cocoa supply chain | Praxis International Index Fund (0.28%) | Request company address child labor concerns through farmer programs, certification schemes and government collaboration. Learn more. |
| Hershey | Child labor in cocoa supply chain |
Request company address child labor concerns through farmer programs, certification schemes and government collaboration. Learn more. |
|
| Mondelez | Child labor in cocoa supply chain | Praxis Value Index Fund (0.69%) |
Request company address child labor concerns through farmer programs, certification schemes and government collaboration. Learn more. |
| Kroger | Farm worker rights | Praxis Impact Bond Fund (0.19%); Praxis Value Index Fund (0.36%) | Encourage the company to participate in the Fair Food Program. |
| Wendy's | Farm worker rights | Encourage the company to participate in the Fair Food Program. |
Responsibility issues
| Company | Issue | Fund holdings* | Objective |
|---|---|---|---|
| ConocoPhillips | Oil development and indigenous rights | Praxis Value Index Fund (1.16%); Praxis Impact Bond Fund (0.24%) |
Ask company to adopt free, prior, and informed consent principles and community engagement in extraction areas. |
| Goldman Sachs | Indigenous rights policy | Praxis Value Index Fund (0.88%); Praxis Impact Bond Fund (0.24%) | Request that the company report on its financing of companies involved in pipeline construction and assess whether its practices comply with its existing indigenous rights policy. Learn more. |
| Morgan Stanley | Indigenous rights policy | Praxis Value Index Fund (0.71%); Praxis Impact Bond Fund (0.47%) | Request that the company report on its financing of companies involved in pipeline construction and assess whether its practices comply with its existing indigenous rights policy. Learn more. |
*Fund holdings listed are as of March 31, 2018, and are subject to change. To obtain holdings as of the most previous quarter, please visit the fund pages.
Invest in Praxis
Talk to your financial advisor to invest in Praxis Mutual Funds.
Or call us at (800) 977-2947.
Are you a financial professional?
Help your clients invest in impact by adding Praxis Mutual Funds to your portfolios.
For more information about the Funds and advisor resources, contact praxisadvisorinfo@everence.com.
Inspiring stories
Making a difference
Shareholder advocacy
McDonald's makes major recycling commitment
Announcement follows years of investor engagement
Shareholder advocacy
Praxis addresses labor recruitment fees in the electronics industry
Companies commended, asked for transparency
Shareholder advocacy
AES agrees to produce report on climate preparedness
Agreement follows years of dialogue
Shareholder advocacy
Investors collaborate to address Rohingya crisis
Add financial leverage to existing political pressure
Shareholder advocacy
Praxis engages oil and gas companies on climate risks
Encourages thoughtful transition to low-carbon economy
For financial professionals
Let us support you as you help your clients make a difference through Praxis Mutual Funds. Find client materials, webinars and other educational materials.