New SEC guidance on climate-related disclosures
31 Jan 2010
The US Securities and Exchange Commission has voted to provide public companies with interpretive guidance on certain existing disclosure rules that may require a company to disclose the impact that business or legal developments related to climate change may have on its business.
The relevant rules cover a company's risk factors, business description, legal proceedings, and management discussion and analysis. The SEC's interpretative guidance highlights the following areas as examples of where climate change may trigger disclosure requirements:
- Impact of legislation and regulation
- Impact of international accords
- Indirect consequences of regulation or business trends
- Physical impacts of climate change
