CARB Updates Climate Reporting Regulation
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The California Air Resources Board (CARB) held a workshop on November 18 to provide updates on a package of regulations mandating climate financial risk and emissions reporting. SB 253 requires entities doing business in California with annual revenues exceeding $1 billion to disclose certain emissions. SB 261 requires businesses in California with more than $500 million in annual revenues to biennially publish a report detailing their climate-related financial risks. All regulated entities will be subject to a flat rate fee to cover the implementation costs of SB 253 and/or SB 261.
Businesses regulated under SB 261 will be required to post climate risk reports on their website. CARB will keep a docket open for entities to submit their reports to staff by July 1, 2026. CARB has provided multiple existing frameworks to meet disclosure requirements. Those resources, along with others, are available on CARB’s website HERE.
For SB 253 reporting, CARB has proposed an updated deadline of August 10, 2026, for businesses to submit their Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. Scope 3 emissions reporting will commence in 2027; however, CARB has yet to propose a specific date. In a December 2024 enforcement notice, CARB clarified that it would be accepting “good faith” first year submissions to assist entities in achieving full compliance. Additionally, businesses are permitted to submit existing Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions reports without third part assurance for the first year of the regulation.
CARB staff will submit an updated regulation for the board to consider during the first quarter of 2026 and commence a formal rulemaking beforehand.
To read more about the updates to the rulemaking process, explore draft reporting templates, or review a list of FAQs, click HERE.
Ag Council Engages on Potential Use Restrictions for Rodenticides
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Ag Council recently joined a coalition of leading agriculture groups to submit a comment letter in response to a draft regulation by the Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) seeking to increase use restrictions in response to the passage of AB 2552. The letter stressed the critical need for rodenticides to remain available for use at food and agriculture facilities to protect equipment, food safety, and public health.
Additionally, Ag Council and others are advocating for streamlined reporting, clarification to application period requirements, and flexibility for use of rodenticides given the extreme nature of some infestations. Ag Council and its partners specifically cited the severe rodent infestations impacting farmers throughout the state in 2024 and 2025.Ag Council will remain involved in this issue as DPR potentially considers additional use restrictions.
To read the letter, click HERE.