Shareholder activism is a way to challenge company decisions — FROM THE INSIDE

The document outlines how individuals can become activist shareholders by purchasing a single share in a company listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) to gain the right to attend Annual General Meetings (AGMs). It explains that South Africa's Constitution and the Companies Act (2008) provide the legal basis for challenging corporate pollution and demanding transparency. The guide provides practical instructions on using broker platforms like Easy Equities, conducting research on fossil fuel investments, and formulating direct questions for corporate boards to push for a just transition.

• Individuals can exercise internal corporate influence by purchasing a single share in a company listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), which grants them the status of a part-owner and the right to attend the Annual General Meeting (AGM).
• Shareholders can use the AGM to directly challenge corporate boards by demanding answers on harmful investments, such as coal or gas, and exposing issues related to labour or the environment.
• The legal framework for shareholder activism in South Africa is grounded in the Constitution, which applies to 'juristic persons' including banks and mining firms, and the Companies Act (2008), which mandates that public companies hold annual meetings and publish financial and environmental performance reports.
• Effective shareholder activism involves strategic research using investor relations reports and NGO sources to create 'hard to dodge' questions regarding a company's fossil fuel policies and their alignment with public promises.

APA

Centre for Environmental Rights (n.d.). Shareholder activism is a way to challenge company decisions — FROM THE INSIDE. https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Shareholder-Activism_Holding-Companies-Accountable.pdf?x21779

Chicago

Centre for Environmental Rights. Shareholder activism is a way to challenge company decisions — FROM THE INSIDE. n.d. https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Shareholder-Activism_Holding-Companies-Accountable.pdf?x21779.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Centre for Environmental Rights |title=Shareholder activism is a way to challenge company decisions — FROM THE INSIDE |url=https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Shareholder-Activism_Holding-Companies-Accountable.pdf?x21779 |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{centreforenvironmentalrightsndshareholder, author = {{Centre for Environmental Rights}}, title = {{Shareholder activism is a way to challenge company decisions — FROM THE INSIDE}}, institution = {Centre for Environmental Rights}, url = {https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Shareholder-Activism_Holding-Companies-Accountable.pdf?x21779}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }