Carbon Accountable

Changing the Rules of the Game. Carbon data transparency and accountability. Architects of SB 253. Directors: Catherine Atkin | Michael Schmitz

[Carbon Accountable @CO2accountable]

We did it!!! SB 253 is going to become law!
@GavinNewsom just announced at @ClimateWeekNYC that he is heading back to the Golden State to continue California’s leadership! Thank you for your leadership @GavinNewsom and @Scott_Wiener!

[Carbon Accountable @CO2accountable]

@envirovoters @CAgovernor @GavinNewsom Fantastic news! Keep driving progress and keep leading in the #GoldenState!

[California Environmental Voters @envirovoters]

Big news in the #MayRevise of the CA state budget: @CAGovernor allocates funding towards the implementation of SB 253 and SB 261. Thank you #CALeg and @GavinNewsom for keeping climate action at the front and center by protecting funding in our budget.

[Senator Scott Wiener @Scott_Wiener]

In the Governor’s budget proposal, he proposes funding bills signed into law last year, including our corporate climate disclosure bills, SB 253 & 261.

Also, the Governor does not propose cutting the emergency public transit funds we obtained last year.

All fantastic news.

[Carbon Accountable @CO2accountable]

@Scott_Wiener Fantastic news and great leadership @Scott_Wiener in continuing to drive corporate climate disclosure and make sure #California is leading from the front!

[Ceres @CeresNews]

Leading businesses call on lawmakers and @CAgovernor to fully fund the implementation of California's landmark corporate climate disclosure legislation. #SB253 #SB261
https://t.co/lbDc4vs11I

[Carbon Accountable @CO2accountable]

@CeresNews @CAgovernor @CAgovernor leading businesses want fairness and certainty for climate reporting and #SB253 #SB261 provide that. Thank you @Ceres for amplifying their voices.

[Senator Scott Wiener @Scott_Wiener]

Climate disclosures are a mainstream practice for hundreds of large corporations. Many companies are disclosing this information voluntarily because they recognize its importance. It’s only oil companies and other bad faith actors that want to continue lying with impunity.

[Senator Scott Wiener @Scott_Wiener]

We must defend these California laws from right-wing attacks & fully implement them on the timeline passed into law. With the SEC’s poor decision, all eyes are now turning to California and relying on our climate leadership for full transparency.

[Senator Scott Wiener @Scott_Wiener]

The same groups that undermined the SEC rule & are squealing about ESG have placed a bullseye on California’s disclosure laws. The US Chamber launched a lawsuit against them in January, using the same frivolous First Amendment arguments they threatened the SEC with.

[Senator Scott Wiener @Scott_Wiener]

That’s why California’s laws are now more important than ever. They are the only disclosure laws that recognize the serious challenge climate change poses to businesses & the public & the only requirement giving the full picture of US companies’ climate activities.

[Senator Scott Wiener @Scott_Wiener]

These loopholes are dangerous. We must not rely on the good faith of corporations — including some of the biggest polluters on the planet — to tell us about the scale of their carbon impact & we cannot allow these major polluters to hide the bulk of their emissions from view.

[Senator Scott Wiener @Scott_Wiener]

The SEC also included a nonsense provision allowing companies to choose not to disclose information they unilaterally deem irrelevant to their investors.

[Senator Scott Wiener @Scott_Wiener]

The SEC eliminated Scope 3 entirely, under pressure from anti-climate corporations & right-wing groups. That allows oil companies & other bad actors to hide the full scope of their climate impacts from view & even lie with impunity about strategies to reduce emissions.

[Senator Scott Wiener @Scott_Wiener]

California’s law SB 253 requires companies to disclose all greenhouse gas emissions, including their indirect emissions (Scope 3). Scope 3 emissions account for 75% or more of a corporation's total emissions & they are critical to evaluating companies’ strategic decision-making.

[Senator Scott Wiener @Scott_Wiener]

Today, the SEC passed a watered down version of the rule. It’s good the SEC finally recognized that climate change is a serious problem for businesses, but it seriously undermined the rule’s effectiveness w/ major loopholes allowing corporations to continue misleading the public.

[Senator Scott Wiener @Scott_Wiener]

I can’t believe I have to say this: the First Amendment does not protect a corporation’s right to lie about its contributions to climate change.

https://t.co/Hzs88RwPMO

[Senator Scott Wiener @Scott_Wiener]

Right wing groups, oil companies, big banks & the Chamber of Commerce launched an unprecedented pressure campaign against the rule as part of their larger anti-ESG push. They threatened legal action, and even claimed these disclosures would violate their First Amendment rights.

[Senator Scott Wiener @Scott_Wiener]

Two years ago, the SEC proposed a strong rule requiring that corporations disclose their greenhouse gas emissions & business threats from climate change, so that investors, customers & the public could understand how they are navigating one of the greatest challenges of our time

[Senator Scott Wiener @Scott_Wiener]

The SEC gave in to corporate lobbying to significantly water down what had been a landmark climate disclosure rule.

Given the SEC’s failure, the California carbon disclosure law I authored (SB 253) takes on added importance — we must defend it & ensure it gets implemented.

[Carbon Accountable @CO2accountable]

Congratulations @CliffRecht! Good news for California given your deep knowledge and long track record of defending the Golden State’s environmental and health protections.

[Liane Randolph @mslianeran]

I'm thrilled to welcome my former @californiapuc colleague, @CliffRecht, as the newest board member @AirResources. I'm looking forward to working with you to bring #CleanAir to all Californians.
➡️ https://t.co/axUmduFlAw