Carbon Accountable pushes for timely implementation of California’s corporate climate disclosure law
California’s Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act (SB 253) is set to enhance climate-related financial reporting, and a recent roadmap from Carbon Accountable confirms that its 2026 implementation timeline is feasible.
The law mandates that US companies with over $1 billion in revenue, doing business in California, publicly disclose their GHG emissions – and ensure that they are tagged in iXBRL. The “CA SB 253: A Regulations Roadmap” report outlines how the new reporting requirements, based on the GHG Protocol, can be implemented without delay, despite suggestions for a two-year extension.
The roadmap outlines how the new reporting requirements will streamline corporate emissions data disclosures in a timely, transparent, and cost-effective way. The law requires the California Air Resources Board (CARB or ARB) to oversee the implementation of the reporting process, ensuring that companies comply with the GHG Protocol. This choice was made to streamline compliance, reduce costs, and ensure that California’s requirements are consistent with global reporting frameworks.
The paper argues that key aspect of the implementation of SB 253 should be the introduction of iXBRL for GHG emissions disclosures. This digital-first approach will help standardise climate disclosures, making the reporting process more efficient while enhancing transparency for regulators and investors alike.
The roadmap challenges a proposed two-year delay by the Governor’s office, arguing that the necessary regulations can be adopted in time for the 2026 reporting deadline. The authors contend that postponing the law’s implementation would undermine the state’s leadership in climate action at a time when swift progress is essential.
Read the report here.
