U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Provides Guidance on SEC Disclosure Requirements

In response to prodding from institutional investors, on January 27, 2010, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission voted to provide companies with interpretive guidance on existing SEC disclosure requirements regarding the impact that business or legal developments related to climate change may have on its business. The interpretive guidance identifies four examples of where climate change may trigger disclosure requirements including the impact of legislation and regulation, the impact of international accords, the indirect consequences of regulation or business trends and the physical impacts of climate change.