Proposals about modifying the structure of boards and committees, suggestions for generalized sustainability reporting and ideas about how ESG factors can be incorporated into investment practices have leveled out in the last two years after a long slide. Particularly notable over time has been the reduction in resolutions about board diversity and ESG pay links—likely because so many companies now address both issues. What is new is an increasing focus on the ways in which ESG plays out in the nuts and bolts of investment practices, often in institutional investor approaches to and disclosures about proxy voting. There are a few new board oversight proposals this year, however.

In 2024, only 13 are about boards, while 26 others address investment practices, compensation and other disclosure. The total is down from about 100 five years ago.