Nike shareholders are pushing for changes in the company’s handling of climate change, labor rights and gender equity, but past votes suggest their efforts will likely fail.
Rob Davis reports for ProPublica and Matthew Kirk reports for The Oregonian.
In short:
- Nike shareholders will vote on proposals addressing carbon emissions, labor practices, and gender pay gaps.
- Since 1996, no shareholder proposal has passed due to opposition from Nike’s board, controlled by Phil Knight’s stock.
- Major investors, including Norway’s sovereign wealth fund, are backing the climate and labor proposals.
Key quote:
“It’s very disappointing to see this lack of response, lack of engagement from the company, coupled with what we know about the layoffs and restructuring of the staff working on sustainability.”
— Lisa Hayles, Trillium Asset Management
Why this matters:
Shareholder proposals reveal investor concern over corporate responsibility, but companies with powerful founders can resist change. Weak action on climate and labor issues may harm Nike's long-term reputation and sustainability goals.
Related: Nike cuts sustainability staff despite carbon goals
