Speaking Sustainability

On February 18, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued its final rule repealing the greenhouse gas (GHG) “endangerment finding.” EPA’s leadership has characterized the repeal as a return to a narrower reading of the statute in light of scientific, technological and policy developments since 2009. The move significantly attempts to reshape the federal climate regulatory landscape and promptly drew legal challenges.

In a presidential memorandum issued January 7, President Trump announced the United States will begin executive proceedings to withdraw from a historic number of international organizations, conventions and treaties, including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and others aimed at environmental protection and climate action.

On December 1, 2025, the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (NYDEC) finalized regulations for its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reporting program under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA).¹ These rules establish mandatory annual GHG reporting requirements for certain facilities and suppliers beginning June 1, 2027, with earlier compliance milestones for Large Emission Sources and anaerobic digestion, liquid waste storage and certain solid waste landfill operators taking effect in late 2026. We previously wrote about the draft regulations here.

On December 9, 2025, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) announced that it will convene a public hearing on February 26, 2026, to consider approving the adoption of regulations governing California’s climate-related disclosure statutes: SB 253 and SB 261.[1] CARB also published the proposed regulatory text, which we explore below.