Governance & Policy
SEC Climate Disclosure Rule
Definition
The SEC climate disclosure rule, adopted in March 2024, would have required US public companies to disclose material climate-related risks, governance and, for larger filers, Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions. Stayed amid litigation weeks after adoption, it was never defended by the Commission after 2025, and in 2026 the SEC formally proposed to rescind it.
References
Rule adoption and original requirements
The state-level regime filling the gap
Official 2026 proposal to rescind the 2024 rule
Overview
What it means
The rule is not in force and does not currently create a compliance obligation. It remains important for understanding attempted US federal climate disclosure and the shift toward state and international requirements.
How it is used
Commentators cite it when contrasting the US federal retreat with state-level laws such as California's SB 253 and SB 261 and with the EU's CSRD.
Why it matters
Its trajectory illustrates regulatory fragmentation: companies face disclosure duties from states, the EU and other markets even without a US federal rule.
Current status note
Status checked on 19 August 2026: the SEC proposed full rescission on 29 May 2026; final rescission had not yet been adopted.