What SB 253 and SB 261 Mean for Your Company's Sustainability Goals

As the world grapples with the urgency of climate change, regulatory frameworks like the SEC's Climate Disclosure proposal and the EU's Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) are gaining traction. Now, a set of California state laws will have a sweeping effect on climate disclosure standards. These laws will impact and create additional responsibilities for many companies, big and small, well beyond the borders of California.

Continue reading to delve deeper into the implications of these groundbreaking bills, their effective dates, and how they align with global climate disclosure standards.

Introduction to SB 253 and SB 261

In September 2023, the California State Assembly passed SB 253 and SB 261, collectively known as the "California Climate Accountability Package." This legislative move sends a clear message to corporations operating in the state: transparency in carbon emissions and climate risks is non-negotiable, and greenwashing will not be tolerated.

Legislation like SB-253 and SB-261 aims to enforce corporate accountability by requiring transparent climate impact assessments and reporting for a broad range of stakeholders. With its standing as the world's fifth-largest economy, California is a significant player on the global stage.

These bills ensure that companies profiting from this lucrative market also take responsibility for their carbon footprint. Given California's global standing, these regulations are set to have a domino effect, influencing corporate behavior not just in the U.S. but globally.

SB 253

The Objectives:

The bill is rooted in California's commitment to climate leadership and the urgent need to mitigate the impacts of climate change. It obliges companies with significant revenue to be transparent about their carbon emissions, aiming to guide California toward a low-carbon economy.

The Compliance Roadmap:

• Scope 1 & 2 emissions reporting starts in 2026.
• Scope 3 emissions reporting will be added in 2027.
• Reporting should adhere to the Greenhouse Gas Protocol standards.
• Third-party verification is required: limited assurance for Scope 1 & 2 by 2026 and reasonable assurance by 2030. Scope 3 attestation starts in 2027.       

An "emissions reporting organization" will also be contracted by the state by January 1, 2025, to develop a public-facing digital reporting platform funded by annual fees from reporting entities.

The Penalties:

Non-compliance will lead to administrative fines, with a maximum limit of $500,000 per year. The state will evaluate the company's compliance history and good faith efforts. Safe harbors protect companies from penalties for reasonable, good-faith misstatements in Scope 3 emissions between 2027 and 2030.

SB 261

The Objective:

California aims to be a trailblazer by introducing mandatory climate risk disclosure for both public and private entities, recognizing the profound economic and environmental impacts of climate change.

The Requirements:

• Entities must disclose climate-related risks and their mitigation and adaptation plans on their websites starting in 2026 and every two years thereafter.
• The reporting aligns with the guidelines of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures, covering governance, metrics and targets, strategy, and risk management.
• Incomplete reporting must accompany an explanation and future plans for full disclosure. Entities already reporting using TCFD or ISSB standards will be deemed compliant.
• The state board will hire a "climate reporting organization" to biennially prepare a public report that reviews the reported climate-related financial risks and analyzes those facing California.

The Timeframe:

Initially intended for 2024, the bill was amended to start in 2026, in line with SB 253, and will continue biennially.

The Penalties:

Non-compliance will lead to administrative penalties, with a maximum fine of $50,000 per reporting year. The state will consider the entity's compliance history and good faith efforts.

The Companies Affected by SB 253 and SB 261

The Definition:

These bills will affect companies doing business in California. California's "doing business" criteria include public and private companies that:

• Engage in transactions aimed at financial gain within the state.
• They are organized or have their commercial domicile in California.
• Surpass specific benchmarks in California sales, property, or payroll, or if these make up 25% or more of the total of the following:

YearCA salesCA real and tangible personal propertyCA payroll compensation exceeds2022$690,144$69,015$69,015

The Details:

• SB 253: Designed for companies with an annual revenue of $1 billion or more, estimated to encompass about 5,400 companies.
• SB 261: Geared towards companies (insurance companies excluded) with a yearly revenue of $500 million or more, likely to affect close to 10,000 companies.

The Extended Influence of SB 253 and SB 261

Around 5,400 companies will be directly impacted by both bills, and an additional 5,000 will be affected by SB 261. However, the legislation has implications that go far beyond these figures.

The Supply Chain Factor:

• SB 253: The bill incorporates Scope 3 emissions, which means companies may ask their suppliers for emissions data. For most companies, Scope 3 emissions are significantly higher than Scope 1 & 2—11.4 times higher, to be exact. For financial institutions, the challenge is even greater, as Scope 3 includes financed emissions, which can be 700 times higher than Scopes 1 and 2.

• SB 261: The legislation requires companies to report on climate-related risks in their supply chains. This will necessitate data sharing from suppliers for climate risk and opportunity assessments.

The bills will affect a much larger pool of companies than those directly named as reporting entities. Companies, regardless of size or location, should be ready to provide climate-related data if they are part of these supply chains.

California's Climate Bills in the Global Regulatory Framework

Climate disclosure is becoming more standardized globally. The EU's CSRD is set to have a far-reaching impact, and the SEC's upcoming Climate Disclosure Rule will focus on the largest U.S. publicly traded companies. These regulations are crafted to be interoperable with each other and other global climate regulations, here is how the California bills fit in:

California vs. SEC:

Aligned Objectives: Both California's SB 253 and SB 261 and the SEC's proposed Climate Rule share multiple similarities, primarily in the standards they are built on. Both mandate the disclosure of Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions according to the Greenhouse Gas Protocol and require climate risk reporting based on TCFD. Additionally, third-party assurance is required by both SB 253 and the SEC proposal.

Distinctive Features: The SEC's rule is confined to publicly traded companies, whereas California's bills extend to any large companies operating within the state. The reporting of Scope 3 emissions is another point of difference, with the SEC's proposal yet to confirm if they will be included or not.

California vs. CSRD:

Aligned Objectives: Both the CSRD and California's bills affect both public and private companies within and outside their jurisdictions. They require the reporting of Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions, climate risks, and third-party verification.

Distinctive Features: The CSRD goes beyond by requiring the disclosure of additional sustainability metrics, including over 100 other ESG indicators.

Compliance with SB 253 and SB 261 not only aligns companies with California's regulations but also positions them well in the context of other major global regulations like the SEC and CSRD.

The Road Ahead: What Companies Should Know

Governor Newsom's signed these bills into law in early October. The new requirements now take effect on companies starting in 2026.

For many companies, these new requirements are nothing new. However, for others, this is a learning curve. Being proactive is not just about avoiding fines; it’s about preserving your brand’s reputation, which studies show can be more valuable.

If you're questioning your current and future compliance obligations, our team is here to help you prepare.

The information provided in this communication is of a general nature and should not be considered professional advice. You should not act upon the information provided without obtaining specific professional advice. The information above is subject to change.