Law Student Paper Series — Environmental Responsibility & Animal Protection — Overlooked by Pension Plan Regulation
Presented 4/8/21

Animal and environmental protection have tremendous long-term repercussions on economic stability, human health, and national security. Yet problematic regulations regarding fiduciary duty make it difficult to factor these considerations in tax-privileged pension planning under ERISA. This has a chilling effect on necessary investments to shift towards a more sustainable and compassionate economy and has concerning consequences for future retirees, which the law is intended to benefit and protect. Join Benjamin Cregger, Lewis & Clark Law School, as they provide a closer look at recent regulatory changes, which are potentially problematic for human and nonhuman animals. A brief Q&A to follow.
This webinar has been pre-recorded. Watch it now!
Resources
- Environmental Responsibility & Animal Protection – Overlooked by Pension Plan Regulation by Benjamin Cregger (PDF)
- NEDC Comments on Proposed Rule on Financial Factors in Selecting Plan Investments – July 2020 (PDF)
- EBSA – Financial Factors in Selecting Plan Investments – November 2020 (PDF)
- Executive Order 13990 – Protecting Public Healthy and the Environment and Restoring Science to Tackle the Climate Crisis – January 2020 (PDF)
- Fact Sheet: List of Agency Actions for Review
- EBSA – U.S. Department of Labor Statement Regarding Enforcement of Its Final Rules on ESG Investments and Proxy Voting by Employee Benefit Plans – March 2021 (PDF)
- Fiduciary Duty in the 21st Century, Final Report (PDF)
- Petition to the SEC for Rulemaking on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Disclosures – October 2018 (PDF)
- Al Gore – Fiduciary Duty in the 21st Century and the Sustainability Revolution
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