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Environment financiers target Japan's leading banks, this time on board oversight, sources state

A coalition of environment groups filed shareholder proposals with Japan's top 3 banks, including Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, requiring more stringent board oversight of climaterelated threats, individuals knowledgeable about the matter said.

The propositions from Australia's Market Forces, Japan's Kiko Network and an agent of Jungle Action Network mark the first time environment groups have actually targeted the boards of the banks as a method to pressure the lenders on climate modification.

The propositions concentrate on board oversight of climate-related organization dangers and seek to make the megabanks - Mitsubishi UFJ, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group and Mizuho Financial Group - divulge how they assess director proficiency for such oversight, the people said on condition of privacy as the information is not yet public.

It represents a strategy shift from in 2015 when the environment groups looked for to mandate banks disclose trustworthy shift plans to meet 2050 carbon neutral targets.

This year's propositions show governance standards set by the International Sustainability Standards Board requiring disclosure around how governance bodies manage sustainability-related risks, the people added.

Sumitomo Mitsui and Mizuho verified they had actually received the proposals. Sumitomo Mitsui stated it would evaluate them, while Mizuho declined to comment further.

Mitsubishi UFJ decreased to comment.

While there has been some reaction against so-called green investor activism abroad, pressure on Japanese companies has continued unabated, with some activists and shareholders saying corporate Japan has actually been too sluggish in moving far from fossil fuel and its financing.

The most recent propositions from the environment groups will be voted on at the banks' yearly general conferences in June although they are most likely to deal with high obstacles.

In 2015, investors voted down climate propositions at the banks, with the propositions getting just around 20% backing.

Environment resolutions typically take the type of propositions to amend a business's articles of incorporation, which in Japan requires a two-thirds majority. As such, no climate resolutions have actually yet passed, however the pressure has actually prompted some policy changes at business.

The climate groups are likewise getting in touch with the banks, all essential to financing oil and gas tasks, to disclose how they evaluate nonrenewable fuel source sector clients' environment modification shift strategies and what they prepare to do if customers fail to produce trustworthy plans.

Individually, Market Forces and Kiko Network likewise filed a. similar proposal with Chubu Electric Power on. disclosure of director competencies in managing environment threats.

A Chubu spokesperson stated the company was still checking. whether it had received the proposal.

Investor activism on climate modification has gained momentum. in Japan considering that 2020, when Mizuho ended up being the very first listed company. to deal with a climate-related vote.