Navigating the Future of Carbon Disclosure:
Key Insights from Our Recent Webinar
By: Ignacio Fernandez
On June 3, The Climate Registry hosted a webinar on the current state of legislation and regulations on carbon-disclosure legislation and regulations. With over 200 participants, the event featured guest speakers Chris Benjamin, Director of Corporate Sustainability at PG&E, and Lindsey Richmond, Director of Environmental Sustainability at Texas Instruments, as well as updates from The Climate Registry’s Executive Director, Amy Holm, and Senior Policy Advisor, Ignacio Fernandez.
What is very clear is that the future of carbon disclosure is collaborative, data-driven, and increasingly standardized across jurisdictions.
Key takeaways from the webinar:
- The regulatory landscape is evolving rapidly. Climate disclosure is rapidly evolving across the United States. California leads with SB 253 and SB 261, requiring companies with revenues over $1 billion to report comprehensive greenhouse gas emissions. Other states, such as New York, New Jersey, and Illinois, are developing similar legislation, signaling a trend toward standardized climate reporting.
- Scope 3 emissions are a complex challenge. Companies are grappling with the complexity of reporting Scope 3 emissions. Both Texas Instruments and PG&E shared strategies for engaging suppliers, focusing on materiality, and gradually improving data collection. The key is a phased approach, starting with major suppliers and continuously refining methodologies.
- GHG reporting provides business value beyond compliance. Carbon disclosure is not just a regulatory requirement, it is a strategic tool for:
- Understanding operational emissions as a means to reducing them (and costs!)
- Managing risk and building resilience in the face of evolving regulatory and stakeholders expectations
- Driving organizational sustainability efforts
- Alignment and flexibility are a priority for regulators and standard setters. Regulators, like the EU and the California Air Resources Board (CARB), are prioritizing:
- Alignment with existing frameworks, such as the GHG Protocol
- Flexibility for initial reporting periods
- Stakeholder engagement and collaborative rulemaking processes
If you missed the live discussion or want to revisit the insights, you can watch the full webinar on YouTube here.
Want to stay connected and access tools and resources that will help you prepare for the future? Become a member of The Climate Registry and join our leading community.
Links mentioned in the presentation
European Union
Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD)
Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD)
Canada
Canada’s Plan to Reach Net-Zero
Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) updates market on approach to climate-related and diversity-related disclosure projects
US States Legislation
New York (SB 3456)
New York (SB 3697)
New Jersey (SB 4117)
Illinois (HB 3673)
California (SB 219)
California Corporate Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Reporting and Climate-Related Financial Risk Disclosure Programs – May 29, 2025