{"id":31999,"date":"2023-11-12T12:00:06","date_gmt":"2023-11-12T12:00:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wordpress-881230-3801000.cloudwaysapps.com\/?p=31999"},"modified":"2023-12-01T20:29:27","modified_gmt":"2023-12-01T20:29:27","slug":"threats-to-communities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/esgexplainer.org\/threats-to-communities\/","title":{"rendered":"How is anti-ESG messaging being used to target communities and social advancement?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-background is-vertical is-content-justification-stretch is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-1 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"background-color:#1b2c34\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-white-color has-text-color\"><strong><strong><strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Summary<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul style=\"background-color:#e7eff4\" class=\"has-background wp-block-list\">\n<li>Facing broad unpopularity in its wider messaging, the anti-ESG movement has turned to weaponizing corporate inclusivity<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The anti-ESG movement is actively seeking to undermine positive advances in companies\u2019 diversity, equity and inclusion<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Anti-ESG proponents are seeking to outlaw racial equity initiatives, including targets set by Fortune 100 companies to improve their hiring, retention and promotion of a racially diverse workforce and initiatives to work with more Black-owned businesses<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Using lawsuits to threaten companies, the anti-ESG movement is attacking trans and queer representation and body-affirming apparel<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>By supporting companies\u2019 initiatives to promote inclusivity, equity, and strong corporate governance, responsible investors can support social cohesion and ethical business practices\u2013and they can demand better from companies. A clear example is the case of the Dakota Access Pipeline, where the banks financing the project received <a href=\"https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/investors-urge-banks-to-support-re-routing-dakota-access-pipeline-protect-water-300409604.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">a request from over 130 investors<\/a> with more than $685 billion in assets under management to respect the request of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe to reroute the pipeline and avoid their treaty territory. A <a href=\"https:\/\/rokksolutions.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Navigating-ESG-in-the-new-Congress.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">survey<\/a> found that 76% of Americans feel that companies \u201cplay a vital role in society and should be held accountable to make a positive impact on the communities in which they operate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But the anti-ESG movement is actively seeking to undermine such efforts by targeting positive advancements in companies\u2019 diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong>How does the anti-ESG movement undermine Black, brown, and marginalized communities?<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In the wake of the summer 2020 uprisings following the murder of George Floyd, companies began making promises about improving racial equity and the way their business practices and other activities impact&nbsp; Black communities. To hold companies accountable to that, investors started filing shareholder resolutions calling on companies to conduct racial equity audits These are third-party assessments of how corporate policies, practices, and products either ameliorate or exacerbate racial inequalities. These received unprecedented levels of support from investors for two years, and are a helpful example of the different types of tools that responsible investors can use to support Black communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But concerted efforts against diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) are seeking to undermine advancements made in 2021 and 2022. In July, 14 Republican Attorneys General sent <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tn.gov\/content\/dam\/tn\/attorneygeneral\/documents\/pr\/2023\/pr23-27-letter.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">letters<\/a> to the CEOs of Fortune 100 companies asking them to \u201crefrain from discriminating on the basis of race, whether under the label of \u2018diversity, equity, and inclusion\u2019 or otherwise.\u201d This letter directly targeted racial equity initiatives, such as a target Microsoft set to work with Black-owned suppliers, and targets set by a number of companies to increase racial diversity in their hiring, retention, and promotion practices. It\u2019s important to note that Democratic AGs have said <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/politics\/politics-news\/us-companies-diversity-efforts-are-legal-democratic-ags-say-rcna95374\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">corporate diversity efforts are legal<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some companies have faced direct backlash over partnerships and advertising featuring prominent figures who have <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnbc.com\/2018\/09\/04\/nike-shares-tumble-after-company-reveals-new-ad-campaign-featuring-colin-kaepernick.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">taken a stand<\/a> against systemic racism. As the anti-ESG movement\u2014facing unpopularity within both the business community and broader public in its wide anti-ESG messaging\u2014has focused increasingly on politicizing diversity and inclusion, companies have spoken up less about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marketplace.org\/2023\/06\/20\/businesses-social-justice-black-lives-matter-support\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">racism<\/a> and their DEI efforts. Meanwhile, large asset managers\u2014major targets of the anti-ESG movement\u2014have backtracked from their support of shareholder racial equity proposals, undermining further positive advancements. (See \u201cAnti-ESG impacts\u201d above)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong>How have anti-ESG efforts harmed queer representation?<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The LGBTQIA+ community is a significant stakeholder in responsible investing with close to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.census.gov\/library\/stories\/2021\/11\/census-bureau-survey-explores-sexual-orientation-and-gender-identity.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">$1.4 trillion in spending power<\/a> as of the last government census. Companies that are developing inclusive products for their consumers, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, show that they are able to adapt to a changing consumer base, which means being a successful company in the long term.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But companies have faced conservative backlash and boycotts aimed at undermining queer representation and queer-affirmative messaging, as well as inclusion of product lines providing trans individuals access to body-affirming apparel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Brewer Anheuser-Busch was targeted after transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney promoted its most popular beer brand, Bud Light, on social media. And Target, which introduced a wide range of products as part of its Pride Collection in May 2023, removed some items from its collection following similar censure. Other popular retailers and consumer goods brands, from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/nbc-out\/cracker-barrels-support-pride-month-draws-conservative-backlash-online-rcna88635\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Cracker Barrel<\/a> to <a href=\"https:\/\/cbsaustin.com\/news\/nation-world\/kohls-becomes-latest-retailer-to-face-conservative-backlash-over-pride-merchandise-lgbtq-lesbian-gay-bisexual-transgender-queer-questioning-conservatives-gop-republican-liberals-democrats-politics-end-wokeness-target-bomb-threats-inclusive-shopping-store\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Kohl\u2019s<\/a> to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salon.com\/2022\/04\/05\/i-do-not-like-gay-cookies-conservatives-vow-to-boycott-oreo-over-new-ad\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Oreo<\/a> cookie brand, have faced similar backlash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Vocal <a href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/jonmcgowan\/2023\/04\/12\/was-bud-lights-dylan-mulvaney-decision-about-esg\/\">anti-ESG proponents<\/a> utilized these incidents to <a href=\"https:\/\/news.bloomberglaw.com\/esg\/ex-trump-officials-sue-target-alleging-pride-month-investor-risk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">attack<\/a> companies\u2019 ESG and diversity, equity &amp; inclusion (DEI) initiatives, <a href=\"https:\/\/aboutblaw.com\/9Sp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">filing<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/jonmcgowan\/2023\/07\/20\/desantis-positions-for-lawsuit-against-anheuser-busch-over-esg-and-mulvaney\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">threatening<\/a> lawsuits against companies including Target and Anheuser-Busch in an effort to get them to backtrack from not only LGBTQIA+ but also other DEI advancements.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"tmnf_excerpt\"><p>By supporting companies\u2019 initiatives to promote inclusivity, equity, and strong corporate governance, responsible investors can support social cohesion and ethical business practices\u2013and they can demand better from companies. A clear example is the case of the Dakota Access Pipeline, where the banks financing the project received a request from over 130 investors with more than $685 billion in assets under management to respect the request of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe to reroute the pipeline and avoid their treaty territory. A survey found that 76% of Americans feel that companies \u201cplay a vital role in society and should be held accountable to make a positive impact on the communities in which they operate.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":32142,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":true,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","slim_seo":{"title":"Anti-ESG targets corporate inclusivity & social advancement","description":"The anti-ESG movement directly threatens Black and Brown communities, the LGBTQIA+ community, and other marginalized communities."},"footnotes":""},"categories":[75],"tags":[83,88,90,103],"class_list":["post-31999","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-anti-esg-efforts","tag-anti-esg","tag-community-interests","tag-corporate-interests","tag-fossil-fuels"],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/esgexplainer.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/how-is-anti-esg-messaging.jpg",1200,675,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/esgexplainer.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/how-is-anti-esg-messaging-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/esgexplainer.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/how-is-anti-esg-messaging-300x169.jpg",300,169,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/esgexplainer.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/how-is-anti-esg-messaging-768x432.jpg",750,422,true],"large":["https:\/\/esgexplainer.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/how-is-anti-esg-messaging-1024x576.jpg",750,422,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/esgexplainer.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/how-is-anti-esg-messaging.jpg",1200,675,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/esgexplainer.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/how-is-anti-esg-messaging.jpg",1200,675,false],"knowbase_single":["https:\/\/esgexplainer.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/how-is-anti-esg-messaging-790x450.jpg",790,450,true],"knowbase_blog":["https:\/\/esgexplainer.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/how-is-anti-esg-messaging-310x310.jpg",310,310,true],"knowbase_tabs":["https:\/\/esgexplainer.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/how-is-anti-esg-messaging-90x90.jpg",90,90,true]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Americas","author_link":"https:\/\/esgexplainer.org\/author\/americas\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"By supporting companies\u2019 initiatives to promote inclusivity, equity, and strong corporate governance, responsible investors can support social cohesion and ethical business practices\u2013and they can demand better from companies. A clear example is the case of the Dakota Access Pipeline, where the banks financing the project received a request from over 130 investors with more than&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/esgexplainer.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31999"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/esgexplainer.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/esgexplainer.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/esgexplainer.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/esgexplainer.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=31999"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/esgexplainer.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31999\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":32402,"href":"https:\/\/esgexplainer.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31999\/revisions\/32402"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/esgexplainer.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/32142"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/esgexplainer.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=31999"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/esgexplainer.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=31999"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/esgexplainer.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=31999"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}