What the SEC’s climate rules mean for sustainability communication

After two years of consideration and more than 24,000 comments, on March 6, 2024 the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) finally adopted its “rules to enhance and standardize climate-related disclosures by public companies and in public offerings.” These rules are part of an effort to respond to investor demand for more “consistent, comparable and reliable” information about the financial effects of climate-related risks on a company’s operations — and how those risks are managed while balancing concerns about mitigating costs. To better understand what made it into the final SEC climate rules, and how this impacts sustainability communication moving forward, Mike caught up with Derek Young, VP of ESG at the REIT CBL Properties.Episode NotesSEC Adopts Rules to Enhance and Standardize Climate-Related Disclosures for Investors (press release)Connect with Derek Young on LinkedInSEC passes new emissions rule: Here’s what you need to know (GreenBiz) Order Sustainability Storytelling — Mike's book about communicating sustainability in businessFollow Mike on LinkedIn to stay updated on his regular insights on sustainability storytellingSubscribe to The Sustainability Story on Substack for more in-depth analysis of sustainability communication challenges and practical advice on how to overcome themGot a guest or topic idea? Reach out at howerimpact.com/contact