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ISS rebukes Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway over climate change, governance

A leading shareholder advisory company recommended on Thursday that Berkshire Hathaway shareholders keep votes to reelect 5 directors at Warren Buffett's corporation, mentioning concerns about environment modification and governance.

Institutional Shareholder Provider (ISS) stated lead independent director and audit committee chair Susan Decker deserved a withhold vote at Berkshire's May 4 annual meeting.

It said this was since Berkshire is a considerable emitter of greenhouse gases, is not disclosing enough about climate change-related threats and opportunities it faces, and is not taking minimum steps needed to attend to those dangers.

ISS also recommended withholding votes from Stephen Burke, Kenneth Chenault, Charlotte Guyman and Thomas Murphy Jr, who comprise Berkshire's payment committee.

It stated this reflected their bad stewardship over executive pay, with magnates' payment not linked to Berkshire's success or stock rate, and a share structure that gives Buffett outsized ballot power.

The 93-year-old billionaire has led Omaha, Nebraska-based Berkshire since 1965. As of March 6, he owned about 15.1% of its stock however regulated 31.2% of its ballot power.

Berkshire did not immediately respond to an ask for comment to Buffett's assistant.

Decker is a previous president of Yahoo, while Chenault was as soon as chief executive of American Express.

Berkshire's services consisting of the BNSF railway, Geico car insurance coverage, and dozens of energy, industrial and retail units.

It has long safeguarded its disclosures, and stated requiring more was frequently inconsistent with its decentralized culture of letting services run without interference from the top.

In 2023, Berkshire granted Vice Chairmen Greg Abel and Ajit Jain, who oversee day-to-day operations, $20 million each in wage.

Berkshire does not grant stock alternatives. Abel is anticipated to eventually be successful Buffett as chief executive.

Buffett's yearly wage is $100,000, but Forbes magazine estimates his fortune at more than $130 billion.

He owns mainly Class A shares, which have greater voting rights than the Class B shares that many Berkshire investors own.

ISS separately backed shareholder proposals for more disclosures about Berkshire's strategies to decrease greenhouse gases and enhance variety, equity and addition. Berkshire opposes these propositions.

In 2021, ISS likewise suggested that shareholders withhold votes from the directors on Berkshire's settlement committee. All won reelection with a minimum of 90% of the votes cast.

(source: Reuters)