California, October 17, 2025
News Summary
California has postponed the finalization of climate disclosure regulations for Senate Bills 253 and 261 until Q1 2026 due to extensive public feedback and need for more technical discussions. Compliance deadlines remain unchanged, requiring companies to submit climate-related reports by early 2026. CARB has also released a draft reporting template to assist with the process and invites public feedback until late October 2025, signaling ongoing development in California’s climate reporting framework.
California has announced a delay in the finalization of climate disclosure regulations for Senate Bills 253 and 261 until the first quarter of 2026. This postponement stems from a substantial volume of public comments received and the necessity for further technical discussions to determine which companies will be subject to these mandates. The original expectation was to have these regulations finalized by fall 2025.
Despite this delay in the regulatory process, compliance deadlines for affected companies remain intact. Under SB 261, companies are required to submit climate-related risk reports by January 1, 2026. Meanwhile, companies governed by SB 253 must report their direct Scope 1 and 2 emissions by June 30, 2026.
To aid the reporting process, CARB has released a draft reporting template designed to simplify the procedure, particularly for entities reporting for the first time. Its usage, however, is voluntary for the 2026 reporting cycle. CARB is currently soliciting public feedback on this draft template until October 27, 2025.
A preliminary list including over 3,100 companies has been published by CARB, which features electric utilities, energy corporations, and manufacturers. It is important to note that all entities on the list, which includes major names such as Pacific Gas and Electric, Southern California Edison, and Berkshire Hathaway Energy, must comply regardless of whether they appear on the list.
Under SB 253, companies operating in California with annual revenues exceeding $1 billion must disclose both Scope 1 and 2 emissions and Scope 3 emissions encompassing their supply chains and business travel. In contrast, SB 261 is aimed at companies with revenues over $500 million, requiring them to disclose climate-related financial risks.
CARB has stressed the importance of ensuring that the framework effectively captures the full range of covered entities and plans to refine the initial proposal based on public input. Although the regulations are still under development, California’s climate disclosure mandates are poised to set a significant precedent for corporate climate-related reporting on a national level.
Additionally, there are ongoing legal challenges against CARB concerning SB 253 and SB 261, which highlight the disputes surrounding the implementation of these regulations. Stakeholders are encouraged to participate in CARB’s voluntary survey to provide feedback regarding potentially covered entities and exemptions.
Looking ahead, CARB has committed to publishing draft regulations by October 14, 2025, following a public comment period that will conclude in December 2025. This timeline will ensure that stakeholders have a clear roadmap as the regulatory framework evolves.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Regulatory Delay | Finalization of climate disclosure regulations is postponed until the first quarter of 2026. |
| Compliance Deadlines | SB 261 companies must report climate-related risks by January 1, 2026; SB 253 firms must report Scope 1 and 2 emissions by June 30, 2026. |
| Draft Reporting Template | Released to streamline reporting for first-time reporters; use is voluntary for the 2026 cycle. |
| Company Thresholds | SB 253 applies to firms with revenues over $1 billion, while SB 261 targets those exceeding $500 million. |
| Preliminary Compliance List | Contains over 3,100 companies, including major utilities and energy firms. |
| Public Input | CARB is soliciting feedback on the draft template until October 27, 2025. |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Utility Dive: California Delays Climate Regulations
- Mayer Brown: California Climate Disclosure Laws
- Carbon Herald: California Delays Climate Disclosure Rulemaking
- ESG Today: California Delays Climate Reporting Regulations
- Crowell: CARB Issues Preliminary Compliance List
- Wikipedia: Climate Change Disclosure
- Google Search: California climate regulations
- Google Scholar: California climate disclosure
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Climate Change
- Google News: California climate regulations
Author: Anaheim Staff Writer
The Anaheim Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HEREAnaheim.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Anaheim, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as major conventions at the Anaheim Convention Center, including NAMM and VidCon, exciting games at Angel Stadium and Honda Center, and developments at Disneyland Resort Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce and Visit Anaheim, plus leading businesses in hospitality, entertainment, and innovation that power the local economy As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECostaMesa.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERESantaAna.com, and HERELosAngeles.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.
