California Pensions Fail to Engage: A review of CalPERS’ and CalSTRS’ votes against shareholder climate resolutions

Fossil Free California June 2022 Issue titled California Pensions Fail to Engage

Read the full report. As the impacts of climate change begin to wreak havoc on our bisophere, the fossil fuel divestment movement has gained remarkable momentum. Globally, 1,500 institutions representing over $40 trillion in assets have already committed to some level of divestment from the fossil fuel industry.1 Despite over a decade of pressure from…

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New report reveals California pensions CalPERS, CalSTRS vote NO on Big Oil shareholder climate resolutions

A group of diverse protesters is gathered outdoors, holding signs and banners advocating for fossil fuel divestment.

The retirement systems’ failed shareholder engagement efforts with fossil fuel companies has cost their members $11.9 billion in returns California — A report released today from Fossil Free California reveals that California’s public pensions voted to oppose climate action at major fossil fuel companies and financiers during the 2022 Annual General Meeting season. This exposé…

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California Senate passes fossil fuel divestment bill

California communities celebrate growing momentum around pension divestment California — Today amidst increasing drought and water crisis, wildfires, and tangible impacts of the fossil-fueled climate chaos, the California State Senate passed Senate Bill 1173 (Gonzalez and Wiener), California’s Fossil Fuel Divestment Act, which would require the state’s public pension funds to divest from fossil fuels.…

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California Senate expected to vote on fossil fuel divestment this week

A young climate activist marches in downtown Los Angeles holding a sign that says "SUPPORT SB 1173."

California — Amidst increasing drought and water crisis, wildfires, and tangible impacts of the fossil-fueled climate chaos, this week, the California State Senate will vote on Senate Bill 1173 (Gonzalez and Wiener), California’s Fossil Fuel Divestment Act, which would require the state’s public pension funds to divest from fossil fuels. The California Public Employees’ Retirement…

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Report reveals CalPERS, CalSTRS exaggerate cost of divestment

A man with a calstrs member sign on his shirt, standing in front of a large crowd of protestors.

New report exposes pattern of misinformation on fossil fuel divestment from two largest public pension funds in U.S. (California) — A first-of-its-kind comprehensive report released today from Fossil Free California reveals that the combined $800 billion California Public Employees’ and State Teachers’ Retirement Systems have repeatedly given incorrect and inflated figures on the costs of…

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CalSTRS Tunes Out Teachers to Engage with Exxon

A man with a calstrs member sign on his shirt, standing in front of a large crowd of protestors.

The California State Teachers’ Retirement System (or, CalSTRS) prides itself on its shareholder engagement with fossil fuel companies. However, by spending their resources, time, and energy on connecting with oil giants like Exxon, CalSTRS has failed to engage with the shareholders who matter most: their own.

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Climate Justice Coalition Cheers as Senator Gonzalez Introduces Pension Fossil Fuel Divestment Bill

Today, Senator Lena A. Gonzalez (D-Long Beach) introduced SB 1173 — the Fossil Fuel Divestment Act — in the California state legislature. The bill would mandate that California’s public pension funds stop investing in fossil fuel companies. For over eight years, teachers, students, and state workers have called for their pensions to divest from fossil…

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Media Advisory: Youth, Teachers, Labor Leaders and Financial Experts Debate CalSTRS’ Fossil Fuel Investments at Sustainability Symposium

Students covered in molasses holding signs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For the first time ever, the California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS)* met publicly with advocates of fossil fuel divestment at a virtual Sustainability Symposium on Wednesday, February 9th from 4:00-6:30 PM PST. Speakers included CalSTRS staff, investment professionals, teachers, and climate activists. Nalleli Cobo of Los Angeles shared her experience growing…

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