The California Air Resources Board (CARB) will conduct a public hearing to consider the proposed Climate Data and Financial Risk Reporting Fee Regulation, which includes establishing the reporting deadline for Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions under California’s climate disclosure framework.
Key Points
Public Hearing Details
- Date & Time: February 26, 2026 at 9:00 a.m.
(Hearing may continue on February 27, 2026, if required) - Location: Byron Sher Auditorium, California Environmental Protection Agency, Sacramento, CA
Legislative Background
- SB 253 requires companies with annual revenues exceeding $1 billion to report Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions.
- SB 261 requires companies with annual revenues exceeding $500 million to disclose climate-related financial risks.
Agenda of the Public Hearing
- The official public hearing agenda will be published by CARB approximately ten days before February 26, 2026, and should be consulted for the final list of items and order of proceedings.
Fee Regulation
- Establishes fees to cover the costs of administering California’s climate reporting programs
- Includes the creation of dedicated funds for emissions disclosure and climate-related financial risk reporting
Reporting Requirements
- Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions must be reported by August 10, 2026
- Scope 3 emissions are not currently mandated under this regulation
Comment Period
- Opens December 26, 2025
- Closes February 9, 2026
Public Participation
- Both oral and written comments will be accepted before and during the hearing
Why This Matters for Reporting Entities
Establishing clear reporting timelines and administrative structures provides regulated companies with greater clarity for preparing and submitting their first annual greenhouse gas emissions disclosures under SB 253 and climate-related financial risk disclosures under SB 261. Together, these requirements strengthen transparency around both an organization’s climate impacts and climate-related financial risks, supporting informed decision-making by investors, regulators, and other stakeholders.
EcoActive ESG: Your Partner for Seamless Compliance
EcoActive ESG supports organizations navigating California climate reporting requirements — including preparing and submitting Scope 1, Scope 2 & Scope 3 GHG emissions disclosures — with tools designed for accuracy, efficiency, and audit readiness.
- Data Integration
Bring ERP, utility, and supplier data into one platform to save time and reduce reporting errors. - Integrated GHG Calculator
Quickly calculate Scope 1, 2 & 3 emissions with a built-in calculator to simplify compliance preparation. - InDesign Integration
Publish professional ESG reports directly from Adobe InDesign to reduce design effort and ensure polish. - XBRL/iXBRL Reporting
Generate regulator-ready XBRL/iXBRL disclosures to ensure acceptance and avoid rework. - Smart Reporting
Use CARB-aligned templates to cut complexity and keep compliance on schedule. - Audit & Assurance
Produce audit-ready reports to build regulator and stakeholder confidence from the start.
Next Steps for Regulated Companies
- Prepare your initial Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions inventories in advance of the August 10, 2026 reporting deadline.
- Review CARB’s proposal and submit comments before February 9, 2026.
- Use platforms like EcoActive ESG to centralize data, automate calculations, and produce compliance-ready reporting outputs.
👉 Request a demo of EcoActive to explore how our ESG platform can support your GHG emissions reporting and broader climate disclosure compliance: https://ecoactivetech.com/request-a-demo/
