With a legacy of environmental destruction and human rights violations, Chevron faces growing demands for transparency and accountability ahead of its Annual General Meeting on May 28, 2025. 

Investors are demanding that Chevron move beyond empty commitments and prove whether its operations truly align with its Human Rights Policy, specifically its obligation to prevent, mitigate, and remedy actual and potential human rights harms. In response to mounting concerns, Investor Advocates for Social Justice (IASJ), on behalf of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, NY, has filed Proposal #5 on Chevron’s 2025 proxy ballot. The resolution underscores Chevron’s ongoing involvement in regions such as the Amazon, California, and Israel, where Indigenous Peoples and frontline communities continue to bear the brunt of environmental degradation, health impacts, and violations of internationally recognized rights.

Chevron, responsible for one of the largest environmental disasters in the Amazon, continues to face global criticism for the lasting harm caused by its former operations in Ecuador. Despite ceasing operations decades ago, Chevron has refused to clean up widespread contamination, leaving Indigenous communities in the northern Amazon with polluted water, degraded ecosystems, and ongoing health impacts. This demonstrates that Chevron’s policies fail to adequately prevent or address environmental and human rights abuses in the Amazon region.

Similarly, in Richmond, California, Chevron’s refinery is the second largest polluter in the state, and has long been a source of environmental and public health concerns. The refinery’s presence has contributed to high rates of asthma, respiratory illnesses, exposure to chemicals and carcinogens, and lower life expectancy in surrounding communities, which are predominantly low-income and people of color. The company’s continued operations in Richmond serve as a stark example of environmental injustice, where communities bear the health burdens of pollution while corporate profits are prioritized. These cases underscore the urgent need for Chevron to conduct a Human Rights Impact Assessment and engage directly with affected communities.

Leo Cerda, a Kichwa leader from the Ecuadorian Amazon, has recorded a statement on behalf of his community to be delivered at the AGM. Cerda emphasizes the lasting consequences of Chevron’s operations and the “scars” it left on his home country. 

IASJ argues that Chevron’s current human rights disclosures fail to meet investor expectations or international norms, such as the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. While Chevron claims to respect human rights, this is not shown in its operations or the impact of its business on vulnerable communities. 

Last year, the resolution addressing Human Rights received around a quarter of investor votes at Chevron, reflecting a growing demand among investors for Chevron to take its human rights commitment seriously and evaluate the impacts of its operations. 

Shareholders are encouraged to vote FOR Proposal #5 to advance corporate accountability and the protection of human rights.

To learn more about this proposal and Chevron’s operations, please reach out to cseznec@iasj.org and read the exempt solicitation.