In a decisive move, shareholders of Berkshire Hathaway Inc rejected six proposals addressing environmental and social policy issues during the company's annual meeting held in Omaha, Nebraska. These proposals, all of which were opposed by the company's billionaire investor Warren Buffett and his board, failed to garner support from shareholders by substantial margins.

Two of the proposals called for greater disclosure from Berkshire's insurance and energy operations regarding their efforts to combat climate change, including greenhouse gas emissions. However, shareholders voted against these proposals by more than a 4-to-1 ratio, indicating their disagreement with the need for increased transparency in this regard.

Another proposal aimed at promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the company's workplace also faced rejection from shareholders. The call for increased disclosure about diversity efforts failed to gather sufficient support among the shareholders.

Furthermore, shareholders voted against a separate proposal that sought to establish a board-level committee for monitoring safety at the company's BNSF railroad unit. The proposal aimed at ensuring environmental safety standards failed to attain the required votes from shareholders.

Additionally, a proposal requiring Berkshire Hathaway to disclose annually the extent to which its business operations depend on the "hostile" Chinese government was also rejected. It is worth noting that Berkshire had invested in the Chinese electric car company BYD in 2008, but has since reduced its stake in the company starting from 2022.

Notably, the outcome of these votes was not surprising, as Warren Buffett possesses special shares that grant him a 31% voting stake in the company. This significant ownership makes it challenging for proposals opposed by Buffett to be adopted.

Alongside the rejection of the proposals, Berkshire shareholders voted to reelect the company's 14-person board, ensuring continuity in their leadership.

The annual meeting showcased the shareholders' alignment with Berkshire Hathaway's existing environmental and social policies, as proposed changes failed to gain substantial traction. The outcome highlights the strong support for the current direction set forth by Warren Buffett and his board in guiding the conglomerate.