Sustainability Dialogue Series

Hear from Sir Chris Hohn, Children’s Investment Fund Foundation

In response to the absence of concrete climate transition plans amongst corporates, the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) launched the Say on Climate (SoC) initiative. The SoC requires companies to provide (1) annual disclosure of emissions and a plan to reduce them, and (2) an annual accountability mechanism, generally in the form of an advisory AGM vote. This approach works because it is a reasonable request for shareholders to make which can garner widespread support, whilst requiring companies to commit to concrete actions. The information disclosed provides evidence to inform effective engagement with the board and justify voting against companies that fail to take effective action.