Calif. Lawmakers Pass Groundbreaking Greenhouse Emissions Disclosure Bill

"California lawmakers have passed a bill that would require large U.S.-based companies doing business in the Golden State to publicly disclose their annual greenhouse gas emissions — the first such requirement in the nation.

Supporters of Senate Bill 253, the Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act, say the legislation is aimed at discouraging corporate greenwashing, or marketing that falsely portrays a company’s efforts to reduce climate-warming emissions.

The measure passed in a 48-20 Assembly vote on Monday before the Senate signed off on it in a 27-8 concurrence vote on Tuesday. It now heads to Gov. Gavin Newsom for a final decision.

The bill would require the California Air Resources Board to adopt regulations by 2025 mandating public and private companies with more than $1 billion in annual revenues to begin publicly disclosing their emissions across three “scopes” in 2026. Scope three emissions reporting would start in 2027."

Dorany Pineda reports for the Los Angeles Times September 12, 2023.

SEE ALSO:

"A California Bill Could Reveal Corporate America’s Climate Secrets" (Grist)
 

 

Source: LA Times, 09/14/2023