A U.S. judge on Wednesday allowed a lawsuit filed by Exxon Mobil (XOM.N) against two activist groups seeking to bar their climate resolution to go ahead against one of the groups.
The oil company's lawsuit raised alarm among activists and proxy advisers who argued it would muzzle debate among shareholders and public companies.
U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman on Wednesday ruled that Exxon could continue its case against Arjuna Capital, citing jurisdiction to hear the case over a U.S.-based firm. But he said it could not pursue its claim against Netherlands-based climate activist group Follow This, as it was outside the court's jurisdiction.
The activist groups argued that Exxon's legal strategy would allow the company to "haul its shareholders into any court in the United States."
"This is an unwarranted and cynical attack on shareholder rights in the world’s leading capital market," Follow This founder Mark Van Baal said.
California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS), the largest public pension fund in the United States, said it was "disappointed, but not surprised" the lawsuit will continue.
"Exxon's dangerous legal gambit, if successful, would undermine shareholder rights and allow corporate leaders to stifle the ideas of investors with impunity,” CEO Marcie Frost said.
The judge also denied Exxon's request to obtain evidence to determine whether the court has the authority to hear the case. And proposed to transfer the case to a Texas state court.
Exxon's annual shareholder meeting will be held on May 29. Arjuna Capital and Follow This had asked Exxon to adopt so-called Scope 3 targets to reduce emissions produced by users of its products. Exxon is the only one of the five Western oil majors which does not have such targets.
FADING SUPPORT
Activist investors made similar proposals at shareholder meetings of various oil majors over the past two years. But the cause has been losing shareholder support due to tighter global oil supply, rising energy costs for consumers, and increased energy security concerns following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Follow This received approval from 28% of Exxon shareholders who voted in 2022. Last year it received just 10% of the vote.
Exxon shareholders have already rejected Scope 3 targets, the company contends, with shareholders campaigning for changes "calculated to diminish the company's existing business," it said.
Exxon won support from business lobby groups the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Business Roundtable, which said the case "exemplifies activist groups' takeover of the shareholder proposal process to score ideological points."
