2026 proxy season shows anti-ESG volume remains high but support remains low
The Harvard Law School Forum reports that approximately 135 ESG-related proposals had gone to votes as of May 31, representing almost 35% of shareholder proposals voted on to date.
BY ESG DESK · JUNE 19, 2026 · 1 MIN READ
The Harvard Law School Forum reports that approximately 135 ESG-related proposals had gone to votes as of May 31, representing almost 35% of shareholder proposals voted on to date. Anti-ESG proposals represented almost 38% of those ESG-related votes but averaged only about 1.7% support, while pro-ESG proposals averaged almost 13.3%. Boards and counsel should separate noise from governance risk. Anti-ESG proposals may not be winning votes, but they are shaping disclosure, engagement, litigation and reputational strategy.