
Understanding SB 253 & 261
California’s SB 253 and SB 261 are groundbreaking climate disclosure laws reshaping how businesses approach emissions, risk, and transparency. At Clearyst, we help companies measure, manage, and disclose with confidence - turning regulatory requirements into opportunities for innovation, growth, and leadership.
Climate corporate data accountability act
SB 253
SB 253 requires large corporations to disclose their GHG emissions publicly across three scopes:
Scope 1:
Direct emissions from owned or controlled sources.
Scope 2:
Indirect emissions from purchased electricity, steam, heating, and cooling.
Scope 3:
All other indirect emissions in a company’s value chain, including supply chain and product lifecycle emissions.
Who does SB 253 apply to?
SB 253 applies to companies with annual revenues exceeding $1 billion that do business in California. These companies must submit annual emissions reports verified by a third party.
Who does SB 261 apply to?
SB 261 applies to companies with annual revenues exceeding $500 million doing business in California. These companies must submit biennial reports detailing their climate-related financial risks and mitigation strategies.
Why SB 253 matters
SB 253 goes beyond disclosure - it sets the stage for how investors, customers, and regulators evaluate your company’s performance. Meeting these requirements builds trust and positions your business as a forward-thinking sustainability leader.
Climate-related financial risk disclosure act
SB 261
SB 261 focuses on financial risk transparency. It requires companies to:
•
Assess and disclose climate-related financial risks.
•
Report on strategies to mitigate these risks and adapt to climate change.
Why SB 261 matters
SB 261 pushes companies to integrate climate risk into strategic planning. Doing so not only meets regulatory requirements but also strengthens resilience, reduces exposure, and can reveal new opportunities for innovation.
Climate corporate data accountability act
SB 253
SB 253 requires large corporations to disclose their GHG emissions across three scopes publicly:
Scope 1:
Direct emissions from owned or controlled sources.
Scope 2:
Indirect emissions from purchased electricity, steam, heating, and cooling.
Scope 3:
All other indirect emissions in a company’s value chain, including supply chain and product lifecycle emissions.
Who does SB 253 apply to?
SB 253 applies to companies with annual revenues exceeding $1 billion that do business in California. These companies must submit annual emissions reports verified by a third party.
Why SB 253 matters
SB 253 goes beyond disclosure - it sets the stage for how investors, customers, and regulators evaluate your company’s performance. Meeting these requirements builds trust and positions your business as a forward-thinking sustainability leader.
Climate-related financial risk disclosure act
SB 261
SB 261 focuses on financial risk transparency. It requires companies to:
Assess and disclose climate-related financial risks.
Report on strategies to mitigate these risks and adapt to climate change.
Who does SB 261 apply to?
SB 261 applies to companies with annual revenues exceeding $500 million doing business in California. These companies must submit biennial reports detailing their climate-related financial risks and mitigation strategies.
Why SB 261 matters
SB 261 pushes companies to integrate climate risk into strategic planning. Doing so not only meets regulatory requirements but also strengthens resilience, reduces exposure, and can reveal new opportunities for innovation.