MALVERN, PA — On Wednesday, drivers on Route 202 encountered a large banner reading “Vanguard invests in climate destruction” hanging over the Cedar Hollow Road overpass, just a short distance from the global investment firm’s headquarters. The demonstration marked the latest public push from climate advocacy groups urging Vanguard to change its investment strategy around fossil fuels.
The banner was visible from both directions and is part of a broader campaign criticizing Vanguard’s role as a major investor in fossil fuel industries. According to campaign organizers, the firm manages approximately $444 billion in coal, oil, and gas assets, making it one of the largest global investors in the sector.
The public demonstration follows a series of outreach efforts by environmental and advocacy groups to engage Vanguard’s leadership directly. In recent weeks, roughly 3,000 individuals have contacted CEO Salim Ramji via email, calling for a meeting with climate advocates, the adoption of an Indigenous rights policy across its investment portfolio, and the creation of a fossil-fuel-free retirement savings product.
In June, a group of former clients and concerned citizens delivered a formal letter outlining these demands to Vanguard’s corporate office. After receiving no public response, two individuals reportedly hand-delivered the same letter to Ramji’s Philadelphia residence on Tuesday.
“We call on Vanguard to make it possible for customers to save for retirement in ways that don’t jeopardize the future,” said Lina Blount, Director of Strategy and Partnerships at Earth Quaker Action Team.
The campaign, known as Vanguard S.O.S., is an international coalition of climate, faith-based, and advocacy organizations. Its central claim is that Vanguard’s current investment policies contribute significantly to climate change and could carry long-term financial risks for investors. The group points to studies suggesting the firm could face losses of up to $3 trillion by 2050 if climate-related risks are not adequately addressed.
The campaign outlines three primary objectives: a shift in investment policy to prioritize decarbonization, stronger engagement and proxy voting against high-emission companies, and the integration of climate justice principles in business decision-making.
Vanguard has not issued a public statement in response to the recent demonstration or the ongoing campaign. The company has previously stated its commitment to engaging with portfolio companies on climate-related risks but has stopped short of aligning its investment strategy with fossil fuel divestment efforts.
Wednesday’s banner display highlights continued public pressure on large financial institutions to reevaluate their role in funding carbon-intensive industries amid growing concerns over climate change.
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