Public Policy Statements
Wespath Benefits and Investments (Wespath) periodically writes letters to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regarding proposed rules. We also collaborate with other investors seeking to influence regulatory or public policy leaders by cosigning letters and position statements. Wespath works with other faith-based investors through the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR) and with global investors via the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment (UNPRI).
- November 2, 2022—2022 Global Investor Statement to Governments on the Climate Crisis
- August 30, 2022—Investors, Companies, and the Accountancy Profession Call for Stronger Alignment of Regulatory and Standard Setting Efforts around Sustainability Disclosure
- June 14, 2022—Comment Letter to the SEC on "Enhancement and Standardization of Climate-Related Disclosures for Investors
- May 16, 2022—Investor Statement on the Crisis in Ukraine
- March 5, 2022—Letter to the SEC Requesting Tax Transparency Report from Amazon.com
- January 19, 2022—Comment Letter on the Methane Regulations Administered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- September 28, 2021—Letter to Congress on Permanent Federal Paid Family and Medical Leave
- June 11, 2021—Letter to Securities and Exchange Commission Regarding Public Input on Climate Change
- April 14, 2021—Businesses & Investors Call for Ambitious U.S. NDC
- February 23, 2021—Global Investor Statement in Support of an Effective, Fair and Equitable Global Response to COVID-19
- July 21, 2020—Letter to U.S. Financial Regulators Regarding Consideration of Climate Change as a Financial Risk
- February 13, 2020—Council of Institutional Investors’ Letter to SEC on Proposed Proxy Adviser Rule Changes
- February 3, 2020—Letter to Securities and Exchange Commission Regarding Proposed Changes to Proxy Adviser and Resubmission Threshold Rules
- October 31, 2019—Letter to Securities and Exchange Commission Addressing Proxy Adviser Regulation and Opposing Potential Changes to Rule 14a-2(b)
- September 23, 2019—Global Investor Statement to Governments on Climate Change
- September 18, 2019—Securities and Exchange Commission Letter on Potential Changes to Rule 14a-8 9 (filing and/or rebubmission of shareholder proposals)
- November 15, 2018—Comment Letter to SEC in Support of U.S. Proxy Process and Shareholder Rights
- October 30, 2018—Wespath's Letter Opposing the Replacement of the Clean Power Plan
- October 23, 2018—Letter to EPA and NHTSA Opposing an Easing of Auto Fuel Economy and Emissions Targets
- November 3, 2017—Joint UMC Letter to World Leaders at COP23 Urging Strengthening Commitment to Paris Agreement
- August 8, 2017—Comment Letter to the EPA on Proposed Rule: Oil and Natural Gas Sector: Emission Standards for New, Reconstructed, and Modified Sources
- May 1, 2017—Letter opposing Financial CHOICE Act of 2017 for potential to erode shareholder rights
- January 10, 2017—Wespath joins the call for continued low-carbon investments and policies in the U.S.
- September 19, 2016—Letter Opposing Proposed Proxy Advisory Reform Bill (HR 5311)
- July 21, 2016—Letter to the Securities and Exchange Commission about Regulation S-K Concept Release, File Number S7-06-16
- June 13, 2016—Letter to the House Committee on Financial Services opposing a proposed bill (HR 5311) to tighten regulation of proxy advisory firms, which could weaken public company corporate governance and shareholder rights
- November 16, 2015—A Letter from General Agencies of The United Methodist Church to COP21
- September 8, 2015—Letter to the Premier of Alberta, Canada, supporting renewal and strengthening of Alberta's climate change policy
- July 31, 2015—Letter to twenty-nine state governors supporting implementation of EPA's Carbon Pollution Standards
- July 6, 2015—Letter to SEC Regarding Staff Review of Rule 14a-8(i)(9)
- May 25, 2015—CEO Letter to G7 Finance Ministers Requesting Action on Climate Change
- September 18, 2014—Global Investor Statement on Climate Change, Delivered to Heads of State at the UN Climate Summit
- September 20, 2013—Wespath Supports Power Plant Performance Standards
- June 19, 2013—Letter to U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry regarding the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh
- May 7, 2013—Letter in support of Dodd-Frank Section 1502, Rule 13p-1
- September 15, 2009—Regarding the proposed "Proxy Disclosure and Solicitation Enhancements" rule
- September 4, 2009—Regarding the proposed "Shareholder Approval of Executive Compensation of TARP Recipients" rule
- August 11, 2009—Regarding the "Social Investment Forum Proposal Dated July 20, 2009" on mandatory corporate reporting on environmental, social and governance information
Position Statements
Wespath must occasionally take positions on issues of importance to the Church that have an effect on our work in service to plan participants. We also publish statements to clarify misunderstandings when they surface regarding the nature and purpose of our retirement, health and welfare plans and programs.
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