Average support did not keep pace with volume, however, as proposals averaged 20.1 percent support (based on votes cast), down from 2014’s all-time high of 21.9 percent.

On the heels of an unprecedented winning streak in 2014 when seven E&S resolutions received majority support, just one proposal cleared the majority support hurdle this year.

Engagement continues to take a big bite out of E&S ballot items. The sexual orientation/gender identity non-discrimination campaign, for example, had a quietly successful season as proponents withdrew 95 percent of the resolutions filed following talk with targeted companies.

Driven by a surge in climate change proposals (72), environmental concerns climbed to the top of the E&S resolution leaderboard with 125 shareholder resolutions filed. Political-related issues (with 118 resolutions) settled for second place after seasons of dominance as proponents shied away from filing proposals that diverged from the two large lobbying disclosure and political contributions campaigns.

A number of new and novel climate change proposals that focused on climate change drew mixed results. Hybrid resolutions on capital expenditures and tying executive compensation to climate change failed to catch fire, as resolutions seeking disclosure of carbon asset risks showed more promise.

The 2016 E&S campaign could become the drive for five (hundred proposals, that is) as a national presidential election year in the U.S. thrusts political spending, lobbying disclosures, greenhouse gas emissions and other core concerns into the spotlight.