Concessions can’t save ‘cursed’ SEC climate disclosure rule from scrutiny

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) finally approved its ground-breaking climate-related disclosure rule Wednesday, nearly two years since it was originally proposed.

The new rule is notable as much for what it contains as for what it does not. It will require large public companies to provide certain climate-related information in their registration statements and annual reports, according to the rule’s introduction, and mandate their disclosure of climate-related risks deemed to have a material impact on their business strategy, operations, or financial condition.

Disclosures about severe weather events and other “natural conditions” must be included in a registrant’s audited financial statements.