Our Activism
At Nia our impact does not stop at portfolio construction. We use our RIA platform to advocate both with our portfolio companies as well as out in the world for issues of diversity, equality and sustainability. Below is a list of some of our most recent actions and engagements.
With the recent trend of political bans on reproductive rights, corporations are now being called into leadership at a whole new level. In line with Nia's corporate activism to improve diversity, equity and inclusion practices across corporate America, today we join Tara Health Foundation in applauding Citi for taking a stand and making the commitment to cover airfare and lodging for employees seeking abortions who need to travel to states that still offer this range of reproductive rights. Read our letter to CEO Jane Fraser, and join us in calling her out for doing the right thing in challenging times.
Help us call on President Biden and Labor Secretary Walsh to take immediate action to repair the harms committed against undocumented and excluded workers!
Sign the petition and join the campaign: In order to take climate change seriously, we cannot continue to accept empty promises.
Help us call out Ferrero for bankrolling child abuse, land grabbing, and deforestation in its palm oil supply chain.
Tell Congress: Tax Jeff Bezos so he and other billionaires, the ultra-wealthy, and corporations pay their fair share.
Sign with your name and call on Congress to include family and child support in COVID recovery, including affordable, quality childcare for all.
Join us and sign this petition to support a $20 minimum wage now.
Sign our petition to ban these deadly firearms in every state and override judges who make light of the carnage that AR-15s cause.
Join us as we call on the Biden administration to provide people fleeing gender-based persecution a chance to rebuild their lives in safety and dignity.
Take action! Join us in signing onto the Moms Rising Letter, and tell the U.S. Congress to make the improvements to the Child Tax Credit permanent immediately!
Read our letter urging the Goldman Sachs Board to end forced arbitration.
Urge your Senators and Representative to vote YES on S.J. Res. 16 and H.J. Res. 36 to promote the corporate accountability needed for the well-being of the economy, communities, and the environment.
Please join Robert Reich and DFA by signing on to be a citizen co-sponsor of Bernie’s bill to increase federal corporate taxes on companies that pay their CEO's an outrageously high amount of money when compared to their median worker.
Join us, and sign and send the petition to Congress: Demand they fight for all of us and endorse the global fund for pandemic prevention and preparedness.
Join us in calling on members of congress to tax the rich in order to combat climate change as we face a dangerous future, and fix past injustices against communities of color who were harmed by decisions like where to put highways.
Join us in calling on our representatives to support and pass the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021 and the Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2021.
Join Nia CEO Kristin Hull in calling on President Biden to end gun violence.
Despite the massive risks of these projects, Liberty’s executives have refused to make space in their calendars to meet with Indigenous and frontline leaders, whose lands, livelihoods, and cultures Liberty is threatening with its business practices. Sign the petition: Demand Liberty Mutual drop insurance coverage of tar sands pipelines, Arctic drilling, and all fossil fuel expansion.
This International Women’s Day, stand with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to feed and empower women. Help women and girls overcome the ravaging effects of conflict, climate change and poverty.
Add your name with USA for UNHCR to support President Biden and his administration renewing our commitment to refugees and robustly increasing annual refugee admissions.
The climate crisis is the greatest challenge of our time, and it’s going to take all of us to solve it. Extreme temperatures, stronger storms, rising seas, and so much more already threaten communities around the globe, and it will only get worse if we fail to step up and create a safer future.
Stop Corporate Polluters From Exploiting The Pandemic
As the Coronavirus pandemic continues to spread, plastic industry groups have used the crisis as an opportunity to exploit people’s fears around COVID-19, rollback legislation to limit single-use plastic, and to push their pro-pollution agendas.
Sign this petition to join Nia in telling Amazon to STOP polluting our planet with single-use plastic packaging.
Sign this petition to join Nia in telling Coca-Cola that we don't want plastic bottles polluting our planet.
Join Nia in asking our legislators for better alternatives to plastic pollution.
Join Nia in signing on to the Finance for Biodiversity Pledge
The new Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act of 2020 (Senate Bill 3263, HR 5845) will tackle the exploding crisis of plastic pollution and transform waste and recycling management in the United States.
Tell Your Representative to Support the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act
The new Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act of 2020 (Senate Bill 3263, HR 5845) will tackle the exploding crisis of plastic pollution and transform waste and recycling management in the United States.
Tell your representatives to protect our drinking water from microplastics!
Access to clean water is a human right. Our elected officials must explore methods to slow wastewater treatment in our communities to filter out plastic microfibers and ways to eliminate single-use plastic from our communities.
Join Nia in support of SB 705 by Senator Allen to ban foam takeout food and drink containers.
Join Nia in signing on to the Joint Statement for an Orderly and Peaceful Transition of Power from Civic Alliance
Join the Climate Collaborative
Climate change is both the greatest threat our planet has ever faced and also the greatest opportunity we’ve ever had to make positive change through innovation and leadership. The Climate Collaborative is here to help companies take meaningful steps to reverse climate change, both on their own and by working together.
Emergency paid leave provisions expire December 31st, leaving over 80% of workers without paid leave during a pandemic winter. Negotiations on new relief packages are underway again. As we head into a deadly winter, any covid relief package MUST contain paid leave protections.
SIGN NOW: Extend Emergency Paid Leave Provisions in Any Covid Relief Package.
Emergency paid leave provisions expire December 31st, leaving over 80% of workers without paid leave during a pandemic winter. Negotiations on new relief packages are underway again. As we head into a deadly winter, any covid relief package MUST contain paid leave protections.
Nia stands with the ICCR in asking that FedEx and UPS take the issue of shipping ghost guns seriously.
Electing Women Bay Area is encouraging Governor Newsom to appoint a woman of color to fill the seat.
Nia stands with Electing Women Bay Area in asking Governor Newsom to elect a woman of color to fill Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris's Senate seat.
Read our letter to Governor Newsom requesting his support for SB 555, which aims to eliminate the exorbitant costs of communications (including phone calls, video visitation and electronic communications) regulate the prices for goods sold inside county jails (hygiene products and food), and require that profits made from these services are reinvested to support people incarcerated in California County Jails, as well as their transition back into their communities.
Nia stands with Action network in demanding that Congress and the next President of the United States enact immediate COVID-19 relief and create the lasting structural changes needed to prevent future pandemic emergencies.
The Trump Administration is proposing to make harmful changes to the way habitat is protected under the Endangered Species Act.
With the existing habitat rules in place, the Endangered Species Act has been more than 99 percent effective at stopping extinction. These changes could make it much more difficult to maintain that success and could push species into extinction.
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Beekeepers are facing their lowest numbers yet, due to toxic bee killing pesticides! Tell your legislators to act now.
Push Back on Department of Labor’s Proposed Rulemaking on ESG Funds
The US Department of Labor has released a proposed rulemaking that is an attack on ESG investing, and would discourage fiduciaries from offering ESG funds because of burdensome requirements. ICCR has prepared a comment letter detailing why the department should withdraw this rule and outlining the harmful effects it will have on ESG investing.
Protect a Free and Fair Competitive Marketplace
Nia opposes the Department of Labor’s proposed rule, “Financial Factors in Selecting Plan Investments,” which relates to ERISA-regulated retirement plans. This rule should be withdrawn, as it goes against the ethos of free and fair market principles to which the American Sustainable Business Council and Social Venture Circle subscribe. Fiduciaries should have the right to consider all material risk factors and should have access to fair and free competitive investment opportunities, including those that meet ESG criteria.
Tell Congress to Support Small Farmers
A growing number of people in the US -- over 41 million-- are facing food insecurity. Meanwhile, the pandemic has left many small, beginning, and underserved farmers in dire financial straits. The Local FARM Act has been introduced to congress-- a way to support small family farmers and farmers of color to better serve their communities and stay in business. But we need you to help push your legislators to pass this bill. Nia has signed Friends of the Earths petition to support the "Local FARM Act."
Tell your Senators: We need real climate and farming solutions!
The Senate is trying to give Big Polluters a license to keep driving us toward climate disaster while harming front line communities through the “Growing Climate Solutions Act.” This bill allows "big agriculture" to greenwash their operations and continue to pollute communities. Similarly, the bill leaves small to medium family farmers at a greater disadvantage. Nia has signed Friends of the Earths petition to stop the "Growing Climate Solutions Act."
WeTheChange Demands Justice and Equity for Black People. Now.
WeTheChange is a global network of women and gender nonconforming
business leaders of B Corps and other purpose-driven organizations, committed to creating a radically inclusive and richly regenerative global economy. We believe in business as a force for good to generate abundance and prosperity for all. Nia has signed We the Change's Anti Racism statement and stands in solidarity with our Black sisters and brothers.
Response to new SEC rule change proposal
In November of 2019 the SEC proposed changes to their rules and regulations that would significantly impact shareholder's rights. We are active investors, creating open dialogues with our companies around best practices that will move us towards a just, inclusive, and sustainable economy. This new proposal would limit our access to company executives, ultimately putting a block in our line of communication. Nia has written to the SEC in regards to our concerns.
KFC and Pizza Hut: take deforestation off the menu!
Rainforests in both Asia and South America are being cut down and set ablaze in order to produce palm oil, soy, beef and paper. As a result this irresponsible practice is driving out many endangered animals that live in those trees. KFC and Pizza Hut, both owned by Yum! Brands have provided little to no transparency on their practices that may be contributing to this deforestation. Nia has signed on with Sum of Us to demand that Yum! Brands be more transparent in their practices and stop contributing to the decline of our rainforests.
Request that banks support gun-control legislation
Nia and 43 other members of First Affirmative's investor coalition have reached out to 18 major banks requesting disclosure and action in regards to gun-control legislation.
Take Action: Don’t let the Trump Admin. destroy Bears Ears
Our current administration is doing everything they can to open up what is left of Bears Ears National Monument to drilling and mining. Nia has signed on with the Daily Kos and The Trust for Public Land to demand that our public lands remain out of the hands of private corporations.
Sign SB 24 into law
Many students at public universities are unable to receive abortion care on campus, forcing them to travel to access these services. SB 24 would require all on-campus health centers at public universities to offer medication abortion. Nia has signed on with NARAL Pro-Choice California asking for the support of reproductive freedom by signing SB 24 into law.
Tell Your Representative: Vote "yes” on bills to protect our coast from offshore drilling
The house will soon be voting on two critically important acts that would provide the most protection to our coasts we have seen in decades. Nia has signed on with League of Conservation voters to urge our representatives to ban offshore drilling from some of our most important coastlines.
Investor Respect for Human Rights and the Case for Stakeholder Primacy
In the 1970s economist Milton Friedman popularized the philosophy know as "shareholder primacy". The premise being that shareholder profit is the sole purpose of corporations. At Nia, we feel that the sole purpose of a corporation is much more than simply generating shareholder profit. This is why Nia has signed on with Business Round Table on the release of an an updated Statement on the Purpose of a Corporation, opening the lens from shareholders to all stakeholders including customers, employees, suppliers and communities.
Tell California Legislators to Tackle the Single-use Plastic Crisis
Single-use plastic continues to generate tons of waste, harm wildlife, and can even poison our air. Nia has signed on with Greenpeace to ask our California state legislature to vote yes on the California Circular Economy and Plastic Pollution Reduction Act to continue our fight against the single-use plastic crisis.
Get toxic glyphosate out of family brands like Cheerios
New studies have found dangerous levels of glyphosate in General Mills breakfast products. Glyphosate is a toxic carcinogen known to cause cancer. Nia has signed on with Sum of Us to demand that General Mills get glyphosate our of their supply chain.
Help California Reduce Plastic Pollution to Protect Our Oceans
Tons of plastic waste are dumped into our oceans each year. These plastics not only pollute our oceans, but are extremely harmful to the marine life and ecosystems that live there. Nia has written to Governor Newsom and our State Legislator asking for their support of SB 54, AB 1080, and AB 792. This legislation would reduce plastic pollution in both our oceans and the communities we live in.
Southwest: Ditch your plastic addiction
Most major airlines generate tons of cabin trash each year. While some airlines have made moves to reduce single use plastic, Southwest has made little to no efforts in reducing their plastic waste. This is just one of the reasons Nia has signed on with Sum of Us to ask that Southwest take its sustainability commitment seriously and become the first plastic-free flight in the U.S.
Investor Alliance Submission to the Equator Principles Association
The Equator Principles are a risk management framework for financial institutions when determining the environmental and social risk of a given project. Nia has signed onto the Equator Principles Association to help with administration, management and development of these principles.
Ban Monsanto glyphosate pesticides. They are literally killing us!
Monsanto's glyphosate has scientifically proven itself to be dangerous to human health since the 1980s. The EPA continues to aid Monsanto by not acknowledging glyphosate as a carcinogen. This harmful chemical is putting human lives at risk with the current administration's support. We have signed on with the Daily Kos to ask that the EPA protect American lives and ban Monsanto glyphosate pesticides.
Take action now: Tell Congress to permanently plug the Taylor Energy spill!
Taylor's Energy offshore oil drilling rig has been spilling oil into the Gulf of Mexico every day for the last 15 years. These irresponsible practices are unacceptable and detremental to our oceans. This is why we have signed on with Friends of the Earth to ask that congress require Taylor's Energy to clean up their mess and demand the facility's wells to be plugged permanently.
Tell the Trump administration: Say NO to fracked gas trains!
Fracking gas is harmful for our future and planet. Our current administration has proposed taking fracked liquified natural gas (LNG) and transporting it via railroad systems. This highly flammable resource makes transport by train extremely dangerous to both our planet, and the communities these railroads run through. This is why Nia has signed on with Friends of the Earth to ask that our administration reject the proposal to transport LNG by train.
Call Visa now and ask it to honor the anniversary of the Pulse massacre by taking steps to stop the next mass shooting.
Credit card companies like Visa have the ability to report irregular purchases of guns and ammunitions to relevant law enforcement. Most mass shootings are committed with weapons bought via credit cards like Visa. This is why Nia has called Visa to ask that Visa do everything in its power to stop the next mass shooting before it happens.
More than a million acres of California lands opened for fracking? Say no!
If the Trump administration follows through on its plan to open up more than one million acres of California lands to fracking, communities and wildlands from the Central Valley to the coast will face an increased risk of toxic air and contaminated water. Nia has signed on in collaboration with the NRDC to ask the Bureau of Land Management to stop all plans to open public and private lands to oil and gas development.
Keep pipelines out of your backyard
Our administration has just signed two executive orders expediting oil and gas pipelines in states who do not wish to have them. This has been signed at the expense of both our health and environment. Nia has signed on in partnership with the Daily Kos to ask that Congress block this executive order.
Reproductive Healthcare is Fundamental Letter Signers
The “Don’t Ban Equality” statement is in response to an alarming trend of bans passing in states across the country that restrict access to comprehensive reproductive healthcare, including abortion. Nia has signed on to protect and expand access to reproductive health care, including Planned Parenthood Federation of America, NARAL Pro-Choice America, The American Civil Liberties Union and Center for Reproductive Rights.
Letter to JP Morgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon
Nia, along with other investors, has asked JPMorgan Chase — the world’s #1 banker of fossil fuels over the past three years, by a large margin — to clarify the bank’s approach to climate change, and to adopt a plan to align the bank’s policies and practices with the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting global warming to 1.5° Celsius, while fully respecting human rights. We are asking that the big bank respond in a timely manner and welcome the opportunity to discuss our concerns with the appropriate management and board members.
Tell Canadian leaders to keep fossil fuels in the ground!
Canadian officials are deciding whether to approve the expansion of the Trans Mountain pipeline. This type of major expansion will increase the likelihood of an oil spill in the North American west coast. Nia has signed on with Friends of the Earth to ask that Canadian officials take into consideration the harmful outcomes of this project and oppose the pipeline expansion.
Face Recognition Coalition Letter
Face recognition gives government agencies the unprecedented power to track who we are, where we go, and who we know. This capability threatens to create a world where people are watched and identified as they attend a protest, congregate outside a place of worship, visit a medical provider, or simply go about their daily lives. These are only a few of the reasons Nia has signed on with IAHR to put in place a federal moratorium on face recognition for law enforcement and immigration enforcement purposes until Congress fully debates what, if any, uses should be permitted.
Tell your Assembly Member to support banks for the people, not pipeline executives!
For too long, public funds have been used by private Wall Street Banks to fund harmful projects that damage both our environment and local communities. The California Banks Act, AB 857 would put public funds under the control of the community enabling these funds to support local needs ranging from affordable housing, renewable energy, and children's education. This is why we have written to Oakland's assembly member, Rob Bonta, asking him to vote in favor of the California Banks Act.
Costco: protect the boreal forests and use recycled pulp in your toilet paper
Millions of acres of Canada's boreal forest have been cut down to produce toilet paper. Costco, currently uses 100% virgin pulp when they could be using recycled material. Toilet paper is Costco's biggest selling item and making the shift to recycled content would contribute vastly to the preservation of Canada's boreal forest. Nia has signed on with Sum of Us to ask that Costco be responsible in their production and commit to 50% post-consumer recycled materials.
Thank Governor Newsom for Protecting Our Climate and Waterways!
Governor Newsom signed an executive order to develop a climate-resilient water system that will help ensure that California is better prepared to cope with our changing climate and that our drinking water sources and rivers are protected for future generations. Nia in collaboration with the NRDC has written to Governor Newsom to thank him for his continuous effort to help California become more climate-resilient.
Bank of America & SunTrust - Stop Financing Pain For Corporate Gain!
The private prison industry is detaining over 70 percent of immigrants in ICE custody and are complicit in the epidemic of mass incarceration that devastates communities of color. In addition, research has shown histories of human rights abuses in private prisons. These private prisons often rely on funding from large banks. Nia has signed on with Moms Rising to demand that Bank of America and SunTrust stop financing private prisons.
Call it a climate crisis!
In 2018, only 3.5% of national television news segments that mentioned climate change referred to it as a crisis or emergency. At Nia, we understand the importance of how you frame things and by continuing to mislabel the current sate of our climate does a disservice to all by enabling compliance and inaction. This is why Nia has signed on with Friends of the Earth to ask that the media call it what it is: a climate crisis.
Sign now to send Wall Street a message: Americans are demanding a living wage
JPMorgan Chase has assets of more than $2.7 trillion, yet many of their employees do not earn enough to make ends meet. Nia has signed on with the Daily Kos and Katie Porter to demand that big banks pay their employees a living wage.
Protect our wild places from Big Oil!
Our current administration wants to expand fracking in California opening up lands near Sequoia National Park, Yosemite and more to the fossil fuel industry. Nia has signed in opposition to this plan, aiming keep fossil fuels in the ground on our public lands in California and across the country.
Tell Congress to ACT NOW and pass the Be HEARD Act to protect workers from harassment on the job
Workplace harassment is a reality for many, especially low wage workers. Nia has signed on with People for the American Way to ask that Congress pass the Be Heard act and protect workers from harassment on the job. This act is crucial in letting survivors know that we see them, we hear them, and we stand with them.
Bank Firearms Lending Campaign
Last year we wrote to banks asking that they voluntarily implement better restrictions and screenings regarding firearms lending policies and practices. While some legislation has passed in states, we are concerned that reliance “lawful standard” in establishing due diligence standards with regard to firearms purchases represents a failure of banks and credit card companies to live up to their responsibility to respect human rights. This year we are following up with banks asking that they provide an update on their policies.
We the Change: Women Leading Business for Good statement.
Nia has joined in partnership and solidarity with other women led certified B Corporations to create a radically inclusive and richly regenerative global economy. As women leaders of certified B Corporations and other purpose-driven enterprises, we believe in business as a force for good to generate abundance and prosperity for all. We are building a world where business is in harmony with nature and all life thrives.
Demand BlackRock, Vanguard, and Fidelity use their power to fight climate change
Shareholders of large companies like Exon and Amazon will soon vote on resolutions that demand concrete action on climate change. Fund managers like BlackRock, Vanguard and Fidelity hold a lot of power in their shareholder votes and can further leverage this power to take steps to combat climate change. This is why we have signed on with the Daily Kos to ask that these managers set the stage for others and hold fossil fuel company leaders accountable by voting for smart climate resolutions.
Tell Bank of America to cut funding for the disastrous Atlantic Coast Pipeline!
Building the Atlantic Coast Pipeline would cause irreversible damage to communities, cultures, and ecosystems. While clean energy prices decrease and access increases, demand for this pipeline becomes unjustifiable. Bank of America holds much power in the potential to cut funding for the ACP. This is why we have signed on with Friends of the Earth, urging the big bank to publicly commit to not investing a single dollar into the pipeline project.
Investor Statement in Support of Ending Forced Arbitration for Sexual Harassment Claims
Forced Arbitration for sexual harassment claims is far too common amongst publicly traded companies. Requiring workers to agree to settle sexual harassment claims with the employer through third party arbitration is wrong. Research has shown that claims are routinely mishandled and most often benefit employers. At Nia, we are against forced arbitration when it comes to sexual harassment. This is why we have signed on with the RISE Community to ask that publicly traded companies end the practice of forced arbitration.
Investor Statement Regarding the Need for Corporate Gender Equity Transparency
At Nia, corporate gender equity is at the core of our mission and values. However, access to current information regarding company policies and practices is very limited. We understand the many benefits that come with having a diverse workforce, which is why we are asking companies to increase their transparency regarding gender equity policies and practices.
Tell the EPA to protect our waterways, not Big Polluters' profits!
Our current administration continues to show us the negative ways in which they support Big Oil. As a country, we now face the threat of gutting the Clean Water Rule. This rule has been crucial in protecting our drinking water sources, which is why we have asked that the EPA abandon the proposed rollback on the 2015 Clean Water Rule.
BlackRock: Stop financing a climate catastrophe!
As many impact investors know, BlackRock directs billions of dollars towards dirty energy. While CEO Larry Fink is feeling the continuous pressure to invest money into a safe and inhabitable planet; it is our job to keep the pressure on. That is why we have joined Sum of Us to ask that BlackRock use their investment power as a tool to fight climate change.
Finance for People and Planet
As impact investors, we understand the responsibility we have when making investment choices. The investment system has the potential to contribute to greatly to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. In order to embrace this potential, investors must incorporate ESG factors into the investment process and seriously consider the impact investments have for people and the planet. This is why have have signed on with IAHR to ask investors to asses risks to people and the planet when doing due diligence on investment options.
Investor Statement On Turkmen Cotton
Turkmenistan currently sits as the 11th largest cotton exporter in the World. Controlled by the state, each year tens of thousands of adult citizens are forced to help in the harvesting of Turkmen cotton. Protest or refusal to aid in this effort results in the threat of dismissal or salary deductions from their normal jobs. This state-sponsored forced labor is an international concern. As investors, we have signed on to ask that companies using Turkmen cotton take into consideration these practices, in addition to considering the legal, financial and moral concern behind this form of forced labor.
Defund Climate Change: Take Action on the Worst Banks on Fossil Fuels
Since the Paris Agreement was signed in 2015, 33 of the world's top private banks have financed fossil fuels with approximately $2 trillion in assets. Nia has joined the Rainforest Action Network in urging Chase Bank to defund climate change.
Various companies in the cosmetic industry use chemicals with known health hazards including those linked to caner, reproductive harm, learning disabilities, respiratory harm, and the list goes on. At Nia we take general health and well being very seriously. This is why we have signed on with ASBC to ask that Congressmen Pallone and Shimkus take into consideration long term health and strengthen the Cosmetic Safety Enhancement Act of 2019.
A line in the sand: Global Commitment to eliminate plastic pollution at its source
We strongly believe that a sustainable, circular economy is what our future needs. That is why we have committed to New Plastic Economy's vision to eliminate plastic pollutions at the source. We believe in a future where plastic never becomes waste.
Paid family leave is a crucial part of supporting working families, yet we still see a large divide in access to these policies. At Nia, we believe that better access to paid family leave should be a top priority for our presidential candidates. That is why we have signed on with Plus Action to show urge the presidential candidates to be champions for paid family leave.
At Nia, we are firm believers in equality for all persons. That is why we have signed on to this petition to show our support for full ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment.
We know glyphosate is a toxic pesticide, yet it continues to show up in products from children's diapers to our breakfast cereals. While some European countries have taken steps to ban this probable carcinogen, the United States has yet to take action. This is why we have asked two of the largest home improvement retail chains - Home Depot and Lowes - to pave the way and stop selling Roundup, and other products containing glyphosate.
The Green New Deal aligns with four out of our six solution themes: Sustainable planet, affordable housing, healthcare, and education. We believe that targeting these areas is crucial to the overall well-being of our plant and all who live here. That is why we have signed on with ASBC to show our support of the goals of the Green New Deal.
A leading group of animal charities have come together to create a set of standards that will radically improve the animal welfare at large factory farms. While many food giants have signed on to this new standard, McDonalds has not. We have signed this petition to ask McDonalds to make real changes to their policies in a push to improve the welfare of animals at their farms and ultimately improve the quality of their food.
The coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is home to diverse wildlife and supports local Indigenous communities. The ecosystem is fragile and is one of the prominent areas impacted by climate change. The current administration wants to allow the oil and gas industries to drill in this protected area. We have signed on to this petition to tell the Department of the Interior we will not stand for drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Visa has the power to help stop the next mass shooting before it even happens. Reports have shown that many of the deadliest shootings in the last decade were financed through credit card purchases. This is why we are asking Visa to monitor credit card purchases for red flags associated with mass shootings.
Food samples are supposed to be tested annually for pesticide residues by the FDA. While they just started testing for Monsanto's toxic pesticide glyphosate, they have failed to test wheat or oats, two crops expected to have the highest levels of glyphosate. Nia has signed on to ask that the FDA take action and protect us from this toxic chemical.
Scientists have warned that there is little time left to avoid the largest impacts of climate change. These recent studies reaffirm our need to end the era of fossil fuels. Nia has signed on to this petition to urge large commercial banks to stop funding the industry that is directly contributing to climate destruction and, instead, invest in climate solutions.
We are currently facing the largest rollback of public lands in our country's history. The current administration has ignored the public's concern and is not only attempting to cut in Utah's Grand Staircase-Escalante monument in half, but also planning to auction off these lands to large fossil fuel companies. Nia has signed on to ask that these monuments be preserved to protect our public land for years to come.
While there has been movement in banning bee-killing neonicotinoids, Dow chemical, a large pesticide corporation is preparing to replace these panned chemicals with an equally harmful toxin. Nia has signed on to ask that the EU consider banning this toxic pesticide and continue the effort to save our bees.
BlackRock is currently the world's largest asset manager, managing about 6 trillion in assets. While CEO Larry Fink has spoken out about the importance of climate change, his company has yet to divest from the companies who are fueling the climate crisis. Nia has signed on to demand that BlackRock divest from climate destruction and instead invest in climate solutions.
Plastic pollution is damaging, and will continue to damage, both our economy and environment if we do actively push to reduce-single use plastic. Albertsons, as the second largest chain owner, has yet to action to reduce their single use plastic. Nia has signed on to this petition to urge Albertsons to join this sustainable practice and eliminate single use plastic in their stores.
Currently, the US has one of the lowest voter participation rates in the world. One common reason given for not voting is not having the time to make it to the polls. Nia has signed this petition as a way to spread awareness to companies that they should be giving their employees paid time off to vote.
The California Air Resources Board recently proposed tropical forest carbon offsets. If this goes into effect, it will allow big polluters to pay a fine in replace of reducing their carbon emissions. Nia has signed on to ask that the California Air Resources Board does not accept these offsets into our carbon trading system in an effort to push towards a more sustainable future.
At Nia, a sustainable planet is part of our six solutions themes. The recent U.N. prediction that our planet could suffer some of the most severe catastrophes in the years to come hit home for us. This is why we have signed on with Daily Kos to ask that lawmakers lead the fight against climate change and help accelerate the phasing out fossil fuels.
Participating in elections is key to a healthy democracy. However, many people do not vote simply because they are too busy or their schedule won’t allow it. At Nia we offer time off to vote because it is the right thing to do. That is why we have signed on with ASBC to encourage American companies to lead the way and grant their employees paid time off to vote on November 6th.
Oil and gas production in California, both on land and offshore in our waters, is a significant obstacle to doing what science says must be done to prevent the worst outcome from climate change. Nia has signed on to tell Governor Brown to commit to no fossil fuels and be a leader in the fight against climate change.
There is a huge and hidden divide in access to paid family leave in this country. Employees at the biggest tech companies can get up to a year off work, while the people serving their meals at the company cafeterias get nothing because those jobs are staffed by outside firms. Nia has signed on to ask that Amazon follow Microsoft in requiring suppliers to offer paid family leave to their employees.
Tell the Water Board to stop letting Nestlé suck California dry.
California has had the worst start to the fire season in a decade. Yet Nestlé continues to draws millions of gallons of water from the San Bernardino National Forest -- and sells it for millions in profits. The Water Board has the power to enforce its directive and stop Nestlé’s water grab. Nia has signed on to ask that the Water Board stop Nestlé from profiting from the illegal use of water.
Nestlé and Pepsi's palm oil business partner Indofood is destroying the rainforest as they continue to produce palm oil. The palm oil industry’s main certification body, the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) could finally kick the rogue company off its certification scheme. This decision will be a crucial step in getting Nestlé and Pepsi to finally cut deforestation and abuse out of their supply chains. Nia has signed on to expose the RSPO’s greenwashing and put its reputation at risk so it doesn’t stick to business as usual and overlook Indofood’s violations.
AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson made a promise to invest in his workforce and create at least 7,000 jobs if the tax bill passed. The bill did pass, and AT&T received a $20 billion windfall. But instead of creating jobs, AT&T has laid off over a thousand workers across the country in the past few months. Nia Has signed on to support the fight for good jobs at AT&T.
These beyond-microscopic materials can enter cells, tissues and organs and may harm our health. Even worse, these ingredients aren’t even on sunscreen labels -- so you have no way of knowing if you’re buying sunscreen containing them. Nia has signed on to tell the FDA to crack down on the use of nanomaterials in sunscreen.
This summer has brought record-breaking heat waves across the United States. These extreme temperatures pose an especially high risk to workers who are exposed to extreme heat. To make things worse, many employers deny workers access to water, shade and rest breaks, increasing the risk of heat-related illness. Nia has signed on to push the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to provide a federal standard that protects workers from heat stress.
The iconic sage grouse depends on the sagebrush habitat that covers much of the Western U.S. But that same habitat sits on fossil fuel resources that the oil industry is desperate to get its hands on. The current administration wants to sacrifice an imperiled species in order to let Big Oil drill on our public lands. Nia has signed on to prevent the destruction of sagebrush habitats as a result of stripping the protections for the imperiled sage grouse.
ASBC in partnership with Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2) is to bringing together a broad variety of business voices to advocate for reduced nutrient pollution, better water infrastructure, and policies that make businesses more resilient to floods and droughts. They hope their work shifts the dialogue on water issues so that there is a greater balance of business perspectives, including the economic reasons for sensible clean water regulations. Nia has signed on to endorse their Clean Water is Good For Businesses principles.
As business leaders, we know that significant change can be brought about by moving money from one investment to another. With climate change accelerating, we need to move quickly and divest from fossil fuels and invest in low-carbon solutions. Nia signed on as an ongoing commitment to divest from fossil fuels and invest in sustainable solutions.
An inclusive economy is representative of all interests in society – major and minority population groups, women and men, old and young people. Bringing about an inclusive economy requires a systems approach that brings together government, the private sector, and communities. It is well documented that gender-diverse companies show higher profitability, while gender-balanced economies are consistently linked with peace and prosperity. Gender equality, when measured by a combination of business, environment and social impact indicators, is a win-win for companies and their communities. Nia has signed on to push for the gender-balance needed to create a inclusive economy.
As the leading policy and advocacy organization for the sustainable business community, ASBC strongly opposes the policy of separating children from their families that has recently been implemented at the U.S. border.
Racial Equity Here is a national movement to advance racial equity by dismantling structural racism, city by city, town by town. Good intentions aren't enough to close outcome gaps, so we are committed to three steps forward, together. Nia signed on to join in organizations across the country committed to eliminate racial inequities and drive better outcomes for all communities.
We all know that clean water is good for businesses – and that the CleanWater Rule sets us on a path to protect water sources nationwide. Numerous lawsuits have been filed to try to overturn the Clean Water Rule in court. Nia has signed on to fight against lawsuits to overturn the rule.
The equivalent of one garbage truck of plastic enters into our seas every minute, every day, all year long. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch — a massive accumulation of ocean plastic — currently spans an area three times the size of Texas.
Nia joined Greenpeace in demanding big corporations invest in alternatives and phase out single-use plastic that is polluting our oceans, waterways, or coasts.
The current administration is trying to roll back more safety and environmental protection standards for offshore oil drilling. We need to keep these standards intact to prevent another fatal Deepwater Horizon oil disaster. Nia has signed on to tell the Department of the Interior to protect our oceans and costal communities.
Investors face an historic opportunity to cut ties with the corporations at the root of the war machine, and to reinvest in ethical, life-affirming sectors that support our communities and protect our planet. Nia has signed on to encourage others to divest from the war machine and reinvest in ethical solution focused companies.
The Trump administration's plan to fix the humanitarian crisis they created puts children in cages with their parents indefinitely and offers no guarantee that children already taken from parents will be reunited. Nia has signed on to pressure the current administration to stop family separation as a result of these policies.
Nia joined the ACLU in making the pledge to take action on June 30 to demonstrate in support of the reunification of families who have been victims of the cruel policy of separation at at the border. Our team marched alongside other activists to send a message that we will not allow such inhumane policies to continue. because #FamiliesBelongTogether.
JPMorgan Chase is a massive investment bank that had close to 100 billion dollars of revenue last year. It is backing five companies that dump - or are planning to dump - more than 778 million tonnes of toxic mine waste into the ocean in Papua New Guinea, Norway, and Turkey. Nia signed on to tell JPMorgan Chase to stop funding mines that dump toxic tailings in the oceans.
Lack of adequate paid family leave is an area of growing concern for many employers, which SHRM noted in its list of “5 Employee Handbook Issues to Watch in 2018” at the beginning of this year. SHRM, however, is out of step with the growing momentum to ensure that working people are able to take the time that they need to be with their families when they are needed most. Nia signed on to ask SHRM CEO and Board of Directors to re-evaluate its position on paid family leave in order to better align both with the needs of working Americans, and with the growing consensus from employers - that working Americans need a real solution for paid family leave.
Lack of adequate paid family leave is an area of growing concern for many employers, which SHRM noted in its list of “5 Employee Handbook Issues to Watch in 2018” at the beginning of this year. SHRM, however, is out of step with the growing momentum to ensure that working people are able to take the time that they need to be with their families when they are needed most. Nia signed on to ask SHRM CEO and Board of Directors to re-evaluate its position on paid family leave in order to better align both with the needs of working Americans, and with the growing consensus from employers - that working Americans need a real solution for paid family leave.
Nia joined Paid Leave US's petition to encourage CVS Health, TJX, Target, Staples & Walmart and other major retailers to supercharge their paid leave policies for all workers to better meet the needs of families.
In response to the senseless police killing of Stephon Clark, momentum is building behind a new California bill that would allow police officers to use deadly force only when "necessary to prevent imminent and serious bodily injury or death." Nia signed on the Courage Campaign's petition asking our Assembly member to support the Police Accountability and Community Safety Act and keep police officers accountable.
PepsiCo has knowingly persisted in conducting business with the Salim Group, a company tied to reckless palm oil producers responsible for the destruction of nearly 10,000 hectares of Borneo’s pristine peat forests...The destruction has continued in defiance of Indonesian laws, fueling the fires that rage each year, accelerating climate change, and causing a health crisis for local communities. Nia has signed on to ask PepsiCo to close the loophole in their palm oil policy enabling the destruction of rainforest by their partners.
AT&T and Verizon dominate the telecom industry in the US. But one area where neither company is a leader is in using renewable energy. The telecommunications industry contributes 2.5% of our global greenhouse gas emissions, comparable to the entire aviation industry. While both companies have made declarations to sustainability, AT&T is still only sourcing 20% of its electricity from renewables, and Verizon has not made any similar commitments. Join Green America in calling AT&T and Verizon to hang up on fossil fuels and move forward on wind and solar power.
The National Rifle Association accepts millions of dollars from gun manufacturers every year to advance an extremist pro-gun agenda, including eliminating gun-free zones at schools and houses of worship, gutting criminal background checks for gun sales, and allowing open carrying of loaded guns in all public places. In the past few weeks, car rental and hotel companies, insurers, and the bank which issues the NRA’s branded credit card, have ended relationships with the NRA. Companies around the country are cutting ties and making it clear that they want nothing to do with the NRA and their deadly agenda. FedEx is still a member of the National Rifle Association’s Business Alliance.
Nia joined GUNS DOWN in asking FedEx to end their relationship with the NRA by making it clear that we've made the moral choice to stand for American lives and against the gun lobby, and that we expect companies we do business with to do the same.
The Trump Administration is moving fast to kill protections for livestock on organic farms. This is the biggest attack on organic agriculture in almost twenty years. Organic was born out of a public outcry for a safer, more transparent and ecological food system. Sign on to oppose this action and protect organic farming.
Even as Trump's Federal Communications Commission (FCC) was repealing net neutrality, FCC chairman Ajit Pai was launching another attack on our ability to communicate – by threatening to cut the Lifeline program. Lifeline helps 12.5 million low-income people access internet or phone service.1 Now Pai wants to disconnect them.
The FCC is currently considering Pai's proposal to slash Lifeline. We need a strong show of opposition to resist his plan.
According to Greenpeace, an estimated 12.7 million tons of plastic end up in oceans each year. With communities around the world struggling with the issue of what to do with all the plastic being pushed on consumers, this petition asks Whole Foods and Albertsons to do their part by committing to banning plastics from their stores.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) recently hosted an for dozens of companies interested in building software that will automatically screen immigrants -- including through aggressive social media monitoring. This technology will make it easier for ICE to discriminate and deport immigrants.
IBM, one of the country’s leading tech companies, was in attendance. IBM prides itself on its image as a global company that supports immigrants. But IBM’s actions haven’t always followed their stated values. This petition urges IBM to stand up in support of immigrants and by not enabling the development of tools that will marginalize immigrants.
Nia proudly supports the Business Alliance for a Healthy California, which works throughout the state of California to mobilize the business sector to support a Medicare-for-all type health system.
The FCC is moved forward to repeal net neutrality rules that protect our free and open internet.
The free and open internet is a cornerstone of our society and must be protected at all costs! Nia signed the petition to join Senator Kamala Harris to protect an open internet. We have to continue mobilizing to save the internet.
“This order makes us less safe – not more. It doesn’t further U.S. interests – it undercuts our standing in the world. It doesn’t put ‘America first’ – it shreds the very fabric that binds us as a nation and as New Yorkers. It takes us in the wrong direction – fast....Accepting refugees is about common sense and common decency. Welcoming people from every country, no matter what religion they practice, is what makes this nation strong. And President Trump seems to be doing all he can to put himself on the wrong side of not just American values, but history itself.”
As part of the America Recycles Day Pledge, we at Nia are committed to reducing the amount of waste our office produces, continuing to recycle, and encouraging others to take the #BeRecycled pledge.
Nia joined Trillium Asset Management and the Rhode Island Office of the General Treasurer's letter to the 50 largest employers of the Fortune 500 urging each company to continue to provide affordable comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care benefits to their employees.
Nia signed the MoveOn.org petition for commonsense gun control now, to include the following:
* Ban civilian ownership of weapons designed for warfare, including assault weapons.
* Close the gun show loophole.
* Limit high capacity ammunition magazines.
* Create certificates of ownership for firearms, similar to automobiles, which should be governed by similar regulations, including the need for training, testing, and insurance.
#GivingTuesday
Nia has officially joined #GivingTuesday, a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration. Celebrated on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving (in the U.S.) and the widely recognized shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday, #GivingTuesday kicks off the charitable season, when many focus on their holiday and end-of-year giving. Each year we will select a few organizations to acknowledge and contribute to as part of our commitment to #GivingTuesday.
With the recent and ongoing mass shootings across the United States, Nia joins the movement for common sense gun control policies.
Dreamers who came to the United States as children are American in every way and it is absolutely wrong to remove them from our communities and deport them to countries that they may have no connections to. Deporting Dreamers could reduce economic growth by hundreds of billions of dollars in the next decade alone.
Join Nia in signing the petition to protect Dreamers.
Nia signed the the Lofoten Declaration in support for a managed decline of fossil fuel production around the world.
The Lofoten Declaration was written in August 2017 at a gathering in the Lofoten Islands of Norway of academics, analysts, and activists, all of whom recognize that globally we have a window of opportunity to limit the expansion of the oil and gas industry, in order to achieve the Paris climate goals.
With massive proposed cuts to the Environmental Protection Agency's budget, Nia joined the American Sustainable Business Council's efforts to tell Congress to fully fund the EPA.
The Environmental Protection Agency is critical to ensuring a sustainable economy these cuts to its budget will increase impacts to clean water and air, decrease funding for pollution control and clean up, decrease testing and monitoring of harmful chemicals, and allow our climate to warm unchecked. When businesses pollute, the costs of these actions are paid for by others in decreased productivity and profits and loss of jobs. Much is said about the costs of regulations, but it is widely known that the cost to implement these rules are often vastly outweighed by the overall benefits to society. Additionally, uncertainty about a healthy environment and healthy employees makes it difficult to invest in the future. The EPA provides the rules and enforcement that give businesses certainty and creates a level playing field for all.
In response to the reports that the Trump Administration will file the Paris Agreement withdrawal letter to the UNFCCC, Nia Impact Advisors released the statement linked below
2016 was the hottest year ever recorded -- and 2017 is on track to take a close second. This growing pattern of extreme and unpredictable weather, worsening wildfires, and intensified storms is the certain outcome of a warming planet. We cannot afford to delay action. California has long been a leader in clean energy, but now we have the opportunity to set a bold, new standard for clean energy: 100% renewable and carbon-free power. Nia joined the California League of Voters's petition to urge the Assembly to pass 100% renewable energy via SB 100. This is the strongest single step we can take as a state to double down on our commitment to fighting climate change and improving air quality
Thanks to Voices for Progress, Nia renewed its letter of support for AB378, a Cap & Trade climate change bill which has been strengthened for low-income areas & communities of color.
Petitions and letters reestablishing our commitment to fight climate change
With the news that the current administration withdrew the United States out of the Paris Agreement, a landmark accord to combat climate change, we took immediate action to make our voices heard in support of climate change mitigation through a petition by SumofUs. As individuals and as a company, we signed a MoveOn.org petition to express to the world that we, the people of the United States, support the Paris Agreement. Thanks to CERES, Nia also joined forces with mayors, governors, college and university leaders, businesses, and other investors to declare that we will continue to support climate action to meet the Paris Agreement.
HeForShe
HeForShe is inviting people around the world to stand together to create a bold, visible force for gender equality. By signing on to HeForShe, Nia is committed to taking action against gender bias, discrimination and violence to bring the benefits of equality to all
International Women's Day
On March 8, 2017, we closed our offices in observance of International Women’s Day to highlight the importance of an inclusive economy and a balance of representation in government. We welcome the opportunity to bring attention to the value of women in all levels within a company, from entry level positions to C Suites and board positions. We support the voices of all those speaking up for equality and encourage our staff to join movements for equal pay and equal representation, as well as equal opportunity for all.
Nia signed this letter in support of Assembly Bill 569, which would prevent discriminatory treatment of employees in our state who choose to utilize reproductive healthcare.
Investor Statement on the White House Executive Order on Immigration
Nia Joined Clean Yield Asset Management, Trillium Asset Management, Zevin Asset Management and Arjuna Capital to launch an Investor Statement on the White House Executive Order on Immigration. This letter expresses our concerns as investors about the detrimental impacts of the January 2017 executive order on human rights, American values, and the economy. The statement calls upon all companies to recognize the benefits to their businesses of employee diversity and to petition our federal government to restore reasoned, well-regulated travel and immigration processes.
Nia Global Solutions supports the American Sustainable Business Council's letter in opposition to the recent Executive Order on immigration. We believe the climate of fear and uncertainty that it fosters in our customers, our employees, and our communities will be damaging to business and undermines the interconnections and workforce mobility upon which we depend. To read the letter and become a signatory, please click below.
Nia Global Solutions supports the American Sustainable Business Council's letter in opposition to the recent Executive Order on immigration. We believe the climate of fear and uncertainty that it fosters in our customers, our employees, and our communities will be damaging to business and undermines the interconnections and workforce mobility upon which we depend. To read the letter and become a signatory, please click below.
Letter in support of LGBT inclusion in by Singapore government authorities
Singapore is one of approximately 75 countries in the world that include homosexual conduct in their penal code - punishable by two years in prison under section 377A.
One of the efforts to change this law has been headed up by the peaceful and positive efforts of Pink Dot SG, a Singaporean LGBT group. Every summer Pink Dot SG holds a gathering to celebrate Singapore’s LGBT community. Last year it reached a record of 30,000 participants and 19 corporate sponsors. After the event, however, the Singapore Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued a warning that “foreign entities should not fund, support or influence.”
In support of Pink Dot SG, Nia proudly joined Trillium Asset Management and 17 other organizations in writing to these Corporate Sponsors to urge them to renew their sponsorship and support of Pink Dot SG, and to share their experiences of LGBT inclusion with government authorities.
Opposition to discriminatory North Carolina House Bill 2 (HB2)
We are proud to join forces in opposition to North Carolina House Bill 2 (HB2), which overturns municipal non-discrimination protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people and prohibits transgender people from using restrooms consistent with their gender identity. Not only does this bill invalidate the human rights of individuals across the state, but it also has troubling financial implications for the investment climate in North Carolina.HB2 has received extraordinary public condemnation and has led to federal civil rights lawsuits, PayPal announcing it would cancel a North Carolina expansion, cancellation of the NBA All-Star Game, travel bans by dozens of state and local governments, disapproval by the NCAA and NFL, and opposition from literally hundreds of companies. Internationally, the United Kingdom issued a travel advisory directed at their LGBT citizens visiting North Carolina and the European Union criticized HB2 as a contravention of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Our Investor Statement is intended to demonstrate strong investor opposition to HB2 and calls for a full repeal of HB2.