Friends Fiduciary Supports Protection of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

The Gwich’in Steering Committee, with other NGOs and investors, has sent a letter to major global insurers calling for them to join their peers and financial institutions that have issued statements that they will not underwrite or invest in new Arctic energy exploration activities. Oil and gas drilling in the Arctic Refuge presents significant reputational risks to these companies due to the violation of Indigenous Peoples’ human rights and sovereignty as well as potential damage to the important artic ecosystem. The letter requests specific policies be put in place to demonstrate financial institutions commitment to keep Indigenous Peoples’ heritage intact and to avoid “irreversible destruction to a sacred landscape.”