Resolution Number: 1994-A042
Title: Encourage Church Investment Strategy on Hazardous Chemicals
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred As Amended
Final Text:

Resolved, That the 71st General Convention of the Episcopal Church reaffirm its commitment to justice for all people inside and outside the United States, including those who, because of their race, poverty, and powerlessness, bear the brunt of hazardous waste disposal which endangers their health and safety; and be it further

Resolved, That investors--dioceses, congregations, Church institutions, and individuals--be encouraged to influence corporations through shareholder resolutions and proxy voting to find alternatives to the manufacture, use, and disposal of hazardous chemicals; and be it further

Resolved, That the Executive Council through its Social Responsibility in Investments Committee be directed to screen its investment portfolios for environmentally responsible corporate behavior inside and outside the United States, and to pursue corporate dialogue and shareholder resolutions with those companies wherever they are located to assure compliance with environmentally sound practices, $12,000 for the triennium allocated for implementation of these goals, subject to funding in the budget.

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Indianapolis, 1994 (New York: General Convention, 1995), pp. 327-28.

Legislative History

Author: The Environmental Stewardship Team
Originating House: House of Deputies
Originating Committee: Committee on Stewardship and Development

House of Deputies

Original Text of Resolution:

(A042)

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 71st General Convention of the Episcopal Church reaffirm its commitment to justice for all people inside and outside the United States, including those who, because of their race, poverty, and powerlessness, bear the brunt of hazardous waste disposal which endangers their health and safety; and be it further

Resolved, That investors--dioceses, congregations, Church institutions, and individuals--be encouraged to influence corporations through shareholder resolutions and proxy voting to find alternatives to the manufacture, use, and disposal of hazardous chemicals; and be it further

Resolved, That the Executive Council through its Social Responsibility in Investments Committee be directed to screen its investment portfolios for environmentally responsible corporate behavior inside and outside the United States, and to pursue corporate dialogue and shareholder resolutions with those companies wherever they are located to assure compliance with environmentally sound practices.

Proposed Amendment:

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 71st General Convention of the Episcopal Church reaffirm its commitment to justice for all people inside and outside the United States, including those who, because of their race, poverty, and powerlessness, bear the brunt of hazardous waste disposal which endangers their health and safety; and be it further

Resolved, That investors--dioceses, congregations, Church institutions, and individuals--be encouraged to influence corporations through shareholder resolutions and proxy voting to find alternatives to the manufacture, use, and disposal of hazardous chemicals; and be it further

Resolved, That the Executive Council through its Social Responsibility in Investments Committee be directed to screen its investment portfolios for environmentally responsible corporate behavior inside and outside the United States, and to pursue corporate dialogue and shareholder resolutions with those companies wherever they are located to assure compliance with environmentally sound practices, $12,000 for the Triennium allocated for implementation of these goals, subject to funding in the budget.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #280)

House of Bishops

The Committee on Stewardship and Development presented its Report #8 on House of Deputies Message #280 on Resolution A042a (Investing to Reduce Hazardous Waste) and moved concurrence.

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #282)

Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, September 2.

Report Reference:   Executive Council: Environmental Stewardship Team, Reports to the 71st General Convention, 1994, pp. 243-257.
Abstract:   The 71st General Convention reaffirms its commitment to justice for those exposed to hazardous waste disposal. It encourages the Church to influence corporations to find alternatives to the manufacture, use, and disposal of hazardous chemicals.