Ross Kerber, Simon Jessop

LONDON/BOSTON – 14 shareholder resolutions were filed by investors challenging Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:) policies at Wednesday’s annual shareholder meeting. The record number of such investor resolutions is a significant achievement for Amazon.com Inc., a cloud computing company that specializes in retail.

The rise in resolutions reflects the growing interest in ESG-based investing. This is causing more shareholders to demand accountability.

This also includes changes made by U.S. President Joe Biden’s securities regulators. These have made it simpler for investors to submit proposals, and harder for companies to convince regulators to reject these resolutions from shareholders.

The record number of resolutions in a company’s history will change next week when Alphabet, Google parent (NASDAQ) Inc, faces 17. This marks the 17th consecutive year, according to Insightia research, which is also the longest since Insightia started tracking these records.

Amazon shareholders will vote on approximately ten shareholder resolutions. These include worker rights, safety and treatment for warehouse workers. Other resolutions call for changes such as a review by Amazon of its use of plastic and changes to Amazon’s nomination process.

Amazon recommends that investors vote against 14 resolutions. However, it states in its proxy statement that Amazon often has taken action to address the root concerns. The resolutions can be non-binding but companies will often act if they are supported by 30% to 40%.

Institutional Shareholder Services is a leading proxy advisory firm and has suggested investors vote to support eight of these proposals. Glass Lewis supports seven.

Royal London Asset Management Ltd is Britain’s biggest mutual life, investment and pensions company. Ashley Hamilton Claxton, the head of responsible investing, said that the firm plans to support at least six shareholder resolutions at Amazon.

Britain’s biggest asset manager, Legal & General Investment Management, and British asset manager Schroders (LON. ) Plc also stated that they would back some or all of the resolutions of investors prior to Amazon’s shareholder meeting.

ESG-focused funds are fond of Amazon. Jefferies Financial Group Inc. estimates that Amazon accounts for 32% of ESG funds. Microsoft Corp The most popular hold, which is found in 39% or more of these funds, is (NASDAQ:).

Brandon Rees is the AFL-CIO’s deputy director. He expressed hope that Amazon ESG funds will support more labor-focused solutions.

Rees declared, “It’s my belief workers rights and workers were buried in ESG’s ‘S’.”