California Governor Gavin Newsom last week signed a new law (SB 253) that will require over 5,300 large companies in the state – including those in the textile and clothing industry – to disclose climate-damaging emissions.
Starting in 2026, companies must begin annually disclosing their direct emissions, as well as those used to power, heat and cool their facilities. Reporting on other indirect emissions is scheduled to begin in 2027.
California wants to be a pioneer
The new law is part of the “most aggressive climate action in the history of the country,” according to Newsom, designed to reduce pollution, protect Californians from big polluters and accelerate the state’s transition to clean energy.
The goal is to achieve CO2 neutrality by 2045 at the latest and 90 percent clean energy by 2035. With the California Climate Commitment, the state is making a record investment of $54 billion in climate protection.
“Together, these actions represent the most significant action to address the climate crisis in California’s history and raise the bar for governments around the world,” the governor’s office said in a statement.
California’s new laws are also expected to create 4 million jobs, reduce the state’s oil consumption by 91 percent, reduce air pollution by 60 percent, protect communities from oil drilling and accelerate the state’s transition to clean energy.
Just over a year ago, in September 2022, California passed the “Safer Clothes and Textiles Act,” which bans the use of certain chemicals – specifically per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) in new fabrics and textiles.
With a law to protect garment workers (SB62), which Newsom signed two years ago, the state wants to improve the working conditions of its more than 45,000 garment workers and increase the minimum wage.
Since January 1 this year, the fur ban also came into force, prohibiting the sale and manufacture of new products using animal skins and fur. This makes California the first state to officially end the fur trade within its borders. Los Angeles is also home to Vegan Fashion Week.