California Air Resources Board

In 2023, the California Legislature passed, and the Governor signed into law two pieces of legislation: the Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act (Senate Bill (SB) 253, Wiener, 2023; codified in Health & Safety Code § 38532), and the Climate-related Financial Risk Reporting Program (SB 261, Stern, 2023; codified in Health & Safety Code § 38533). 

In 2024, SB 219 (Wiener, 2024; codified in Health and Safety Code § 38532 and 38533) amended both of these statutes, extending certain deadlines and making other administrative modifications. 

California’s landmark climate disclosure laws require large companies doing business in the State to publicly report comprehensive greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (Scopes 1, 2, and 3) and to publicly post biennial climate-related financial risk disclosures. 

This legislative package encourages alignment with existing and widely recognized frameworks. CARB is at the beginning of a public process to develop regulations and guidance, and recognizes administrative efficiency and program exportability as foundational principles for this effort. 

The program aims to ensure that accurate, comparable, and decision-useful climate information is made available to investors and consumers.