Vanguard, the world’s largest investor in coal and one of the two largest investors in oil and gas, needs to recognize the risks posed by investing in climate destruction and commit to taking bold action on climate, now. The Vanguard’s Very Big Problem campaign is calling on Vanguard to release plans by COP26 that outline how it will rapidly decarbonize along science-based targets.
In just a few weeks, world governments will be meeting in Glasgow, Scotland for COP26, which is arguably the most important international climate event since the historic talks in Paris in 2015. Between now and then, many of the world’s largest companies will be coming out with their own climate plans.
Vanguard, the world’s largest investor in coal and one of the two largest investors in oil and gas, needs to recognize the risks posed by investing in climate destruction and commit to taking bold action on climate, now. TheVanguard’s Very Big Problem campaign is calling on Vanguard to release plans by COP26 that outline how it will rapidly decarbonize along science-based targets.
Photo by Corinne Austen
As we get closer to COP26, efforts calling on financial companies to act are picking up. On Friday, September 24th, during the youth climate strike, a coalition of high school and college students, Vanguard customers, and climate activists gathered together to tell Vanguard: it’s time to defund climate chaos. They rode their bicycles to Vanguard’s headquarters outside of Philadelphia and delivered petitions signed by more than 150,000 people to key Vanguard executives who have decision-making power to push the firm to prioritize climate.
People participating in the demonstration also invited Vanguard CEO, Mortimer Buckley, an avid cyclist, to join the bicycle action itself. While Buckley himself did not make an appearance, Vanguard was on high alert, sending out extra security to guard all of the entrances to its sprawling headquarters. With every action the Vanguard’s Very Big Problem campaign takes, the company’s lack of climate action becomes harder and harder for it to ignore.
Photo by Corinne Austen
That’s why the Vanguard’s Very Big Problem campaign is just getting started. We’ll continue to pressure Vanguard to make sure it knows that it needs to deal with its climate problem ASAP. No matter where in the world you are, you can add your voice to the resounding chorus of people calling on Vanguard to take responsibility for its role in investing in the climate crisis. Click here and scroll to the bottom of this page and sign up to get involved with the Vanguard campaign to hear the latest updates, actions, and more from Vanguard’s Very Big Problem!
Photo by Russell Hicks
Photo by Russell Hicks
Photo by Eve Gutman
