California Climate Disclosure Advisory

California's climate disclosure regulations (SB 253, 261, and 219) impose unprecedented climate-related disclosure requirements on public and private American companies that do business in California and that meet certain annual revenue thresholds.  

Beginning January 1, 2026, approximately 10,000 companies operating in California must comply with SB 261 requirements, making 2025 a critical year for aligning data collection, team coordination, and strategic planning. Companies with over $500 million in revenue will fall under SB 261 and will need to publish climate-related risks, while companies with revenue over $1 billion will additionally need to meet SB 253 and disclose their corporate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory by July 2026.  

In terms of timelines, companies subject to the laws must prepare their first climate-related reports with 2025 data to meet the 2026 compliance period.  

SCS Consulting Services helps companies comply with California’s climate disclosure laws — SB 253, SB 261, and SB 219 — by offering:

• Carbon accounting and greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory development
• Climate risk reports aligned with TCFD and ISSB standards
• Reporting support for Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions
• Scenario analysis and internal team coordination for compliance readiness  

This service is designed for:

• U.S.-based companies (public or private) doing business in California with revenues over $500 million (SB 261) or $1 billion (SB 253)
• Organizations across sectors including finance, manufacturing, retail, and energy
• Companies seeking to align with emerging climate regulations and ESG frameworks  

Clients can expect:

• Compliance support with California’s climate laws
• Reduced risk of penalties (up to $500,000/year for SB 253)
• Enhanced climate risk disclosures reporting and GHG emissions inventory that aligns with TCFD and GHG Protocol  
• Improved investor confidence
• Streamlined integration with existing sustainability strategies  

Implementation timelines depend on company readiness, scope, and which regulation a company must be compliant with — usually, we estimate between two to three months. Given the key dates below, clients should allow sufficient time to prepare, collect and manage data, and organize final reports. Some factors to keep in mind:

• 2025 is a critical year for data collection and planning
• SB 261 compliant climate risk reports are due Jan 1, 2026
• GHG inventories must be accurately prepared
• First GHG inventories using 2025 data are due July 2026
• Scope 3 emissions reporting begins in 2027 for SB 253  

As a California-chartered Benefit Corporation and headquartered in the state, SCS Consulting Services has decades of experience working with state regulations and standards, including the California Air Resources Board (CARB), which serves as the governing body for California’s climate disclosure laws. SCS Consulting Services offers:

• Deep expertise in climate disclosure and ESG frameworks
• Alignment with global standards like GHG Protocol, TCFD, and ISSB
• A collaborative, strategic approach tailored to each company’s operations
• Proven success in regulatory compliance and sustainability reporting with CARB 

SCS Consulting Services is certified under ISO 27001: 2022, “Information Security Management Systems,” and we ensure:  

• Alignment with CDP, IFRS S2, TCFD, and ESRS standards  
• Secure handling of sensitive environmental data  
• Confidential management of sensitive emissions and risk data
• Alignment with regulatory frameworks and audit requirements

Support includes:

• Dedicated consulting team throughout the engagement
• Training and capacity building for internal teams
• Scenario planning and reporting strategy development
• Ongoing updates and guidance as regulations evolve  

Pricing is customized based on:

• Company size, structure, and revenue tier
• Scope of emissions and risk reporting required
• Selection of framework to be used and scope of risk assessment and analysis
• Experience in reporting

To get a quote, you can schedule a free consultation.

Due to the nature of this service, no demo or trial is offered. SCS Consulting Services provides:

• Free consultations to assess fit and scope
• Webinars and resources explaining the laws and compliance strategies
• Case studies and client testimonials upon request  

Schedule a free consultation and ask for California climate law support. An SCS Consulting Services advisor will follow up to guide your compliance journey.