On June 13, 2025, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision released a voluntary framework for climate-related financial risk disclosures, marking a significant advancement in global banking transparency. This framework...more
Despite the sense of relief that many companies initially felt with the SEC’s stay of its climate disclosure rules, the pause is unlikely to temper the forces demanding climate disclosures by other means. In the latest paper...more
On October 7, 2023, Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law a trio of climate-related bills that will impact what companies doing business in California must (or can) say about their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the...more
The Situation: The Australian government has released its widely anticipated exposure draft legislation for the introduction of Australia's national mandatory climate-related financial disclosures regime....more
On October 7, 2023, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law two expansive climate disclosure bills (SB 253 and SB 261), making California the first state in the U.S. to impose requirements on greenhouse gas (“GHG”)...more
Welcome to Vinson & Elkins’ Securities and ESG Updates. Our aim is to provide insights into notable developments in securities reporting and the environmental, social and governance space over the quarter and, where...more
This February post noted the introduction of SB 261 which aimed at imposing climate-related financial risk reporting. In the ensuing months, the bill was amended seven times and garnered numerous supporters and opponents. ...more
As public companies anticipate the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) final climate disclosure rules, which are expected to be released sometime fourth quarter of 2023, California has beaten the federal government...more
In this second article in the series, we look at TCFD-aligned reporting and the TCFD recommendations: who they apply to, why they are needed and what is required by them....more
This edition covers new global sustainability reporting standards, proposals to reform corporate criminal liability laws, the enactment of FSMA 2023, FRC guidance on dividend reporting, Investment Association guidance on...more
In line with the UK’s Net Zero Strategy, the UK became the first G20 country to adopt the recommendations of the Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), with effective dates rolling out for different...more
More than 50% of global economic output depends in some way on biodiversity. Frameworks are emerging to measure the impact of business on nature, but the science needs work if they are to succeed....more
On March 21, 2022, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on the “Enhancement and Standardization of Climate-Related Disclosure for Investors” (Proposed Rule). Per the SEC’s...more
Like two kids that show up to school wearing the same outfit, the SEC and the NAIC both proposed significant new climate reporting requirements on March 21, 2022. The SEC’s new rule would, if adopted, require most public...more
On March 21, 2022, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") proposed rules governing the "Enhancement and Standardization of Climate-Related Disclosures for Investors." ...more
The UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) announced on 28 October 2021 that new climate-related disclosure requirements had been laid before the Houses of Parliament. The proposals, contained in...more
The guidance offers clarification on key aspects of the TCFD’s recommendations on climate reporting. On 14 October 2021, the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) released a new guidance document on...more
Building on the work of the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), the London Stock Exchange has created a practical guide to help listed and AIM companies effectively disclose and communicate their...more
Over the past four years in the United States, there has been an increasing disconnect between public and private action on climate. The current administration de-prioritized (and many believe sabotaged) any efforts to...more
UK organisations have grappled in recent years with CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme (“CRC”) and with the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (“ESOS” - now in its second phase). Now it is time to get to grips with Strategic Energy...more