Newsom Signs Bill Requiring Greenhouse Gas Reporting 

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation to require large companies operating in California to disclose greenhouse gas emissions beginning in 2026. Sponsored by Sen. Scott Weiner, the measure will mandate reporting of both direct and indirect emissions by private and public companies with more than $1 billion in annual revenue. 

The bill first requires the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to approve guidelines by 2025. “This important policy, once again, demonstrates California’s continued leadership with bold responses to the climate crisis, turning information transparency into climate action,” Newsom said in signing the measure.

He added, though, “the implementation deadlines in this bill are likely infeasible, and the reporting protocol specified could result in inconsistent reporting across businesses subject to the measure. I am directing my administration to work with the bill’s author and the Legislature next year to address these issues.  

“Additionally, I am concerned about the overall financial impact of this bill on businesses, so I am instructing CARB to closely monitor the cost impact as it implements this new bill and to make recommendations to streamline the program.”

The governor expressed similar concerns about a companion bill to require large companies to disclose climate-related financial risks every two years, which he nonetheless signed.