California law to let corporations accept duty to benefit environment, society

California lawmakers sent a bill (A.B. 361) to the governor Aug. 29 that would establish a class of corporations with legal commitments to benefit society and the environment.

Backed by dozens of “green” businesses and advocacy groups, A.B. 361 would clear the way for the formation of “benefit corporations” with a fiduciary duty to have a positive effect on society and the environment as well as to produce shareholder value.

6 Energy policy topics for US presidential candidates

As the US heads into the process of electing its next President, many subjects and issues will be debated. While climate change may not be the defining issue of the moment in the USA, given the long term importance of the subject it would be useful to understand how the various candidates for office might seek to shape the energy and climate policy landscape through this decade. The climate issue will almost certainly come back to confront a President in office through to 2017 and is probably inescapable for a candidate with ambition to serve through to 2021.