SEC moves to halt climate disclosure rule, signaling potential rollback

The Securities and Exchange Commission is pausing its legal defense of a rule requiring public companies to disclose climate-related risks, a move that could lead to its repeal.

Matthew Goldstein reports for The New York Times.

In short:

Acting SEC Chair Mark Uyeda directed the agency to stop defending the climate disclosure rule in court, citing concerns over its legality and economic impact.
The rule, enacted under former SEC Chair Gary Gensler, requires companies to report greenhouse gas emissions and climate-related financial risks to investors.
Business groups and 19 Republican-led states challenged the rule, arguing it is unnecessary and exceeds the SEC’s authority.

Why this matters:

The decision to halt the rule designed to increase investor transparency on climate risks is a setback for those pushing for corporate accountability on environmental issues. Without such regulations, companies face fewer obligations to disclose how climate change could affect their bottom lines, leaving investors with limited insight into potential financial risks. Critics argue that reversing course primarily benefits industries with heavy carbon footprints while undermining long-term financial and environmental stability. The move comes at a time when extreme weather events and shifting consumer expectations are putting pressure on businesses to take climate-related risks more seriously.

Learn more: Oil and gas firms hide climate impacts in investments

www.nytimes.com

SEC moves to halt climate disclosure rule, signaling potential rollback

Shell’s hidden climate knowledge under scrutiny as court battle looms

A city with a plan

‘Wastelands’ no more: India charts a future for its grasslands

The influencer teaching millions to fear solar

How African off-grid solar companies are using financing deals to land mainstream investors

Georgia’s first ‘pop-up’ power plant for data centers faces scrutiny

The Trump administration wants more gasoline made in idled refineries from California to St. Croix

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.