SEC Greenwashing Rule Gives Funds Chills Over Emission Reporting

A new SEC proposal for investment funds to disclose their portfolio companies’ greenhouse gas emissions is forcing them to think twice about pursuing environmentally friendly strategies.

The plan, which the Securities and Exchange Commission released May 25, would require funds focused on environmental factors to report the carbon footprint and intensity of the companies they invest in. But funds could avoid the obligation, if they say emissions don’t play a role in their approaches to environmental, social and governance investing.

The proposal comes as the SEC is stepping up work to combat greenwashing and other bogus ESG claims by ...