California's Initial Climate Disclosure Regulation Takes Effect As First SB 253 Reporting Deadline Approaches

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) recently announced that the California Office of Administrative Law approved its initial regulation implementing aspects of the state's corporate climate disclosure laws, effective October 12, 2026. Originally adopted by CARB in February, the regulation establishes an initial fee framework and formalizes November 10, 2026, as the first reporting deadline under SB 253, California's corporate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions disclosure law. To facilitate initial reporting, CARB has launched a voluntary online submission platform for covered companies to provide contact information and submit Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions reports. Companies alternatively may submit their information by email. In September, CARB also published updated reporting guidance and issued reminder letters to potentially covered entities. SB 253 generally applies to U.S.-based companies with more than $1 billion in annual revenues that do business in California, with Scope