01/06/2001

$20-$37 billion worth of shareholder support was voted to support the groups' four targeted resolutions. The no drilling in the Arctic National Refuge resolutions received the most attention more than an 80% increase in support or $28 billion worth of shares. The sexual orientation non-discrimination resolution received more than a 55% increase in support or $37 billion worth of shares. Investing in renewables received more than a 40% increase of shareholder support representing more than $26 billion dollars worth of shares, and executive compensation commensurate with the company's environmental and socially responsible performance received more than a 20% increase in support or more than $28 billion worth of shares. Due to the resolutions marked increase of shareholder support, all four may be resubmitted next year.

"Today ExxonMobil lost ground while shareholders and citizens across the globe won some big percentages in increased support on these important environmental, social justice, and workplace resolutions," commented Peter Altman, coordinator of Campaign ExxonMobil. " As the percentages on these resolutions will continue to climb, Exxon Mobil can no longer ignore that there is a movement for change within its corporate boundaries."

"The Arctic Refuge resolution is in its second year and it received a significant increase in support," noted Athan Manuel, Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) spokesman. " Since last year's vote, there has been tremendous focus and public education on the debate which rages over the drilling in the Arctic. Through education, congressional leaders are now more hesitant, and the public more vocal, in realizing that drilling in the Arctic Refuge is an effort not worth pursuing. We feel very good about the shareholder vote today, and hope that Exxon Mobil will realize that there is growing consensus not to sacrifice such a great national and irreplaceable treasure for only six months of oil."

ExxonMobil's management is facing increasing pressure over its stance on a broad array of environmental and social issues, including global warming, their refusal to invest in clean energy sources, and discrimination against gay and lesbian employees. Frustrated by what they perceive as the "arrogant dismissal" of these concerns, shareholder advocates joined in a rally outside the meeting hall where other groups outlined external strategies that have been initiated to force ExxonMobil's hand to initiate policy change.

Bianca Jagger, noted human rights and environmental campaigner, and spokeswoman for UK STOP ESSO , criticized ExxonMobil at the rally which preceded the annual meeting. " I believe ExxonMobil should be accountable to shareholders as well as consumers for their ethical, environmental and workplace policies."

"Until ExxonMobil stops its opposition to the Kyoto Protocol, abandons its call to open the Arctic National refuge for drilling, and invests in renewable energy, we must boycott ExxonMobil," Jagger added. Jagger launched this initial European boycott earlier this month. A second call for a broader boycott of ExxonMobil followed as the "Boycott Esso" campaign was launched in Strasbourg by the members of the European Parliament.

27% of ExxonMobil's profits are from sales in the European Union. A slight shift in those sale percentages could mean hundreds of millions of dollars lost for ExxonMobil's bottom line.

Pressure Point, a Seattle-based nonprofit whose aim is to build a national and international network regarding global warming and energy issues announced that it is coordinating an International Day of Action against ExxonMobil. The event is in response to ExxonMobil's global warming position and President Bush's withdrawal from the Kyoto Protocol.

"ExxonMobil has become the target of world outrage. It is a rich company that is morally bankrupt," said Chris Doran, Pressure Point's director. "The company has an appalling environmental and human rights record. Today we are announcing that activists from fifteen countries and more than 100 U.S. cities have begun mobilizing for protests in an International Day of Action against Exxon Mobil on July 11. These actions will lead up to the climate change negotiations in Bonn on July 16th."

Within the shareholder meeting, Pressure Point unfurled a banner with a member of the Green party as Chairman Lee Raymond attempted to defend Exxon Mobil's support for the Chad Cameroon pipeline. Earlier in the meeting, Raymond had been dismissive of an Aceh, Indonesian activist who pleaded with the company to acknowledge its complicity in atrocities caused by the Indonesian military which have acted as company "security forces" for ExxonMobil in this oil rich province. The large 20 foot banner read, "ExxonMobil: Stop Killing for Oil." David Cobb, Texas Green Party secretary claimed, "This action is a declaration of independence from corporate rule."

"ExxonMobil continues to ignore the science of climate change and global warming's consequences — which is an enormous liability" Altman concluded. "We and other shareholders are working to convince management that they can no longer afford to ignore reasonable environmental, social, and work policies. Failure to adopt these measures will mean that Exxon's record profits could turn into record costs. Whether it¼s through pressure from the inside, or activists in the street, this corporation will soon be forced to change."

The ExxonMobil Annual Meeting comes on the heels of a three day conference, "Empowering Democracy: Challenging Corporate Power and Demanding Accountability". It focused on tactics for reforming the corporation. Over 200 people from more than 40 organizations participated in the gathering, which was organized by a coalition of groups with Campaign ExxonMobil, a Dallas based grouping of religious and other socially responsible investors.

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