CalSTRS chair calls on the SEC to strengthen rules requiring public companies to disclose greenhouse-gas emissions

In an editorial published in Fortune on March 9, William Prezant, chair of the investment committee at California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS) — the second-largest pension fund in the United States — called on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to exercise its authority to strengthen rules requiring public companies to disclose their greenhouse-gas emissions so investors can manage risks.

“As the nation deals with floods, fires, and other extreme weather events fueled by climate change, it may come as a surprise that relatively little is known about one of the largest sources of greenhouse-gas emissions: publicly held companies,” wrote Prezant. “That is because there are no federal rules requiring these major drivers of the nation’s economy to disclose critical information about the impact of climate on their businesses. Fortunately, there is a solution that would help level the playing field by providing all investors acce