New York, NY — Earlier this week, it was reported that Exxon Mobil Corp wrote to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission attempting to block a climate shareholder resolution. The resolution, introduced by the Church of England and New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, calls for the company to lower emissions and address climate change.
While the Church Commissioners for England (CCE) has said it will divest from companies failing to meet the Paris Agreement, New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli has ignored urgent calls from financial experts, constituents, and community organizers to divest from fossil fuels, protect our pensions and our planet.
To date, over 1020 institutions representing more than $8 trillion in assets have committed to divest. This Wednesday, February 27, dozens of New Yorkers will lobby in Albany urging elected officials to support calls for divestment.
On Exxon’s latest attempt to block this resolution, Thanu Yakupitiyage, 350.org U.S. Communications Manager, issued the following statement:
“Year after year Exxon’s executives stick to their perilous playbook of deception and disinformation. And year after year they prove that this rogue corporation will never change its stripes. Exxon knew about climate change over 50 years ago, yet choose to lie to the rest of us — and we’re left bearing the costs. It’s time Exxon and fossil fuel billionaires pay for their climate destruction.
“It’s egregious that New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli continues to pour money into fossil fuel companies hell-bent on our destruction, choosing instead to isolate himself as the world moves off fossil fuels. Any politician or decision-maker claiming to be a climate leader must divest from fossil fuels and take bold action toward a Green New Deal for all of us.”
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Contact: Lindsay Meiman, [email protected], +1 (347) 460-9082