Jennifer Leitsch, managing director, climate change and sustainability services at EY, sat down for a video interview at Nareit's REITwise: 2025 Law, Accounting & Finance Conference® in San Antonio, Texas.
Leitsch discussed how companies are adapting to the evolving landscape of sustainability regulations. She highlighted significant regulatory developments, especially in California, where companies with over $500 million in revenue must publish climate risk reports by Jan. 1, 2026. Additionally, firms with more than $1 billion in revenue will need to disclose their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2026, based on 2025 data, and must have those disclosures assured by third party providers.
Leitsch noted similar regulatory efforts are underway in other states, including New York, New Jersey, Colorado, and Illinois. Meanwhile, companies operating in the EU face shifting timelines and expanded compliance requirements due to a new proposal.
To meet these demands, many firms are using established frameworks, particularly the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) for climate risk reporting and the GHG Protocol for emissions tracking.
Leitsch emphasized the urgency for companies to act now, adapt digital systems, and prepare for mandatory reporting and assurance requirements.