What every company needs to know about climate disclosure bills SB 253 and SB 261
On this episode of "Inspiring Perspectives” climate lawyer David C. Smith explains the implications of California’s climate disclosure laws, SB 253 and SB 261, and why companies should prepare now.
David C. Smith knows a thing or two about the evolving legal landscape that corporate sustainability is facing. As a law partner at Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, and with a Masters of Law degree specializing in energy with a concentration in climate law, he is an expert on the risks, opportunities, and implications of recent climate legislation.
In this episode, we dive into:
- Climate policy and compliance
- The historical context of climate legislation
- The role of federal initiatives like the Inflation Reduction Act
- The emerging climate mandates that require companies to disclose their greenhouse gas emissions
- Climate-related mandates; specifically SB 253 and SB 261
During our wide-ranging conversation, David discusses the implications of California's new emissions regulations, the importance of understanding Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions, and the role of legal counsel in navigating compliance.
Not only is this an inspiring perspective, it’s also an insightful legal perspective. So, if you’ve been wondering if these (and other) legal mandates or pending legislation might affect your company, this one’s for you.
Key takeaways
- The landscape of corporate sustainability is rapidly evolving and if you’re not well on your way, it’s time to get started
- Peer pressure and investment are significant drivers for corporate engagement in sustainability
- Reputational risks are a major concern for companies not adhering to sustainability practices
- Climate mandates are transitioning from aspirations to legal requirements and California leads the way in climate legislation with some of the strictest ones
- Many companies will be required to disclose greenhouse gas emissions and climate risks by 2026 — is your business you one of them?
Thanks for checking out our show! It was produced by our team of experts at thinkPARALLAX.
Intro/Outro music by QubeSounds from Pixabay.
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