SEC Ends Push for Companies to Report Overseas Climate Lawsuits

The SEC has abandoned a 17-year climate disclosure initiative urging companies to report on environmental litigation from foreign governments.

The Securities and Exchange Commission on June 20 withdrew 2008 guidance that advised companies to detail lawsuits and other actions foreign nations brought against them to protect the environment.

The disclosures appeared in companies’ 10-K annual reports, where agency rules require them to report material legal proceedings. The 2008 advice, and 2025 withdrawal, are non-binding compliance and disclosure interpretations intended to aid corporate reporting.

The SEC scrapped the advice dating from the George W. Bush administration as the agency under President ...