We at MMA are deeply concerned about the events in the Gulf and the impact of the oil spill on communities and the environment.

MMA Praxis has a long history of investment and shareholder engagement with BP, stretching back well over a decade. We believe social investors have an important role to play, during times of crisis, in engaging companies regarding issues of environmental, social and governance significance. Corporate shareholder engagements become fruitless when lines of communication are severed, but we have not found that to be the case with BP.

Three weeks after the explosion that sank BP’s contracted drilling rig, MMA Praxis’ full investment team met by phone with the Head of Social Policy and Sustainability in BP’s London office to receive an update on the company’s efforts in the Gulf and to express MMA Praxis’ concerns about what led to and will follow this disaster.

MMA Praxis has also helped organize and host a call among SRI analysts to discuss perspectives on BP and potential responses. Through continued attentiveness to the oil spill and commitment to dialogue with BP, we believe we can encourage better corporate practices both now and into the future.

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