Exxon Mobil Corporation | Political Contributions at EXXONMOBIL CORPORATION

Status
26.70% votes in favour
AGM date
Proposal number
10
Resolution details
Company ticker
XOM
Lead filer
Unitarian Universalist Association
Co-filers
Newground Social Investment, SPC
Resolution ask
Report on or disclose
ESG theme
  • Governance
ESG sub-theme
  • Lobbying / political engagement
Type of vote
Shareholder proposal
Filer type
Shareholder
Company sector
Energy
Company HQ country
United States
Resolved clause
That the shareholders hereby request the Company to prepare and semiannually update a report, which shall be presented to the pertinent board of directors committee and posted on the Company’s website, disclosing the Company’s: • Policies and procedures for making electoral contributions and expenditures (direct and indirect) with corporate funds, including the board’s role (if any) in that process; and • Monetary and non-monetary contributions or expenditures that could not be deducted as an ordinary and necessary business expense under section 162(e)(1)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code, including (but not limited to) contributions or expenditures on behalf of candidates, parties, and committees and entities organized and operating under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code, as well as the portion of any dues or payments made to any tax- exempt organization (such as a trade association) used for an expenditure or contribution that, if made directly by the Company, would not be deductible under section 162(e)(1)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code. The report shall be made available within 12 months of the annual meeting and identify all recipients and the amount paid to each recipient from Company funds. This proposal does not encompass lobbying spending.
Supporting statement
As long-term Exxon shareholders, we support transparency and accountability in corporate electoral spending. A company’s reputation, value, and bottom line can be adversely impacted by election spending that is conducted blindly. The Conference Board’s 2021 Under a Microscope report1 details these risks, recommends the process suggested in this proposal, and warns a new era of stakeholder scrutiny, social media, and political polarization has propelled corporate political activity – and the risks that come with it – into the spotlight. Political activity can pose increasingly significant risks for companies, including the perception that political contributions – and other forms of activity – are at odds with core company values. Exxon discloses some election related spending, but it does not disclose direct independent expenditures, payments to influence the outcome of ballot measures, or payments to trade associations or 501(c)(4) organizations that could be used for election-related purposes. Publicly available records show Exxon has contributed nearly $20 million in corporate funds since the 2010 election cycle. But information on indirect electoral spending through trade associations and 501(c)(4) groups cannot be obtained by shareholders unless the Company discloses it. This proposal asks the Company to disclose all of its electoral spending, direct and indirect. This would bring our company in line with leading companies, including AT&T, Phillips 66, and ConocoPhillips. We believe Exxon’s lack of disclosure presents reputational risk when the candidates supported by its election spending contradict company public positions or take controversial positions. For example, Exxon supports federal tax policies to address climate change, yet many of the candidates supported by its trade associations speak out against climate action and even question the scientific consensus on climate change.

How other organisations have declared their voting intentions

Organisation name Declared voting intentions Rationale
Sandbar Asset Management LLP For
Universities Superannuation Scheme - USS For

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