Greener Skyline Disclosures: The SEC, Shareholders, and Airline Industries’ Misunderstood Fight Over Mandatory Climate Change-Related Reporting

Authors

Celine S. Moubayed

Abstract

Very often, corporations discuss business climate, but it’s time to talk about the business of climate change! As climate change jeopardizes the future of our planet, many individuals and government entities are seeking corporate accountability for businesses’ contributions to polluting the Earth. The transportation industry is at the center of requests for accountability due to its notoriety for being the largest greenhouse gas emitter across all American economic sectors. The Securities and Exchange Commission is broadly and voluntarily requesting climaterelated disclosures from public companies. The aviation industry, while investing in technological advancements to help mitigate climate change, remains largely unregulated and is requesting direct guidelines regarding climate change disclosures. Shareholders of passenger aviation companies propose that their Boards of Directors issue reports about lobbying activities that align with company goals proposed in the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement. The Securities and Exchange Commission, public company shareholders, and the aviation industry are all striving for a transformational fix to combat these progressively devastating environmental concerns. The solution: mandatory climate risk disclosures, both quantitative and qualitative, from publicly traded aviation companies with clear guidance set forth by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Recommended Citation

Celine S. Moubayed, Greener Skyline Disclosures: The SEC, Shareholders, and Airline Industries’ Misunderstood Fight Over Mandatory Climate Change-Related Reporting, 29 Hastings Envt'l L.J. 143 (2023)
Available at: https://repository.uclawsf.edu/hastings_environmental_law_journal/vol29/iss2/3