Legal & General Investment Management (LGIM) has publicly committed to supporting climate change resolutions at future annual meetings of several major US and Canadian banks.
According to the fund manager, it is escalating its support for climate votes to ensure that decarbonisation of the banking sector continues in line with the Paris Agreement.
"Accordingly, we believe our support of many of these resolutions – depending always on the specifics of their drafting language and advisory or binding nature – is warranted."
Citigroup, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS), JPMorgan Chase and Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) have all faced calls for them to stop lending and backing fossil fuel developments.
Canadian banks Royal Bank of Canada (TSX:RY), and Toronto-Dominion Bank also face climate-related votes that will be supported by L&GIM, said the fund manager, including how they intend to comply with Paris Accord.
"We believe detailed information on how a company intends to achieve the 2030 targets they have set... can further focus the board's attention on the steps and timeframe involved and provides assurance to stakeholders," LGIM said.