Rapid response: What the Ninth Circuit hearing means for California climate disclosures

California’s climate disclosure landscape continues to shift as litigation progresses. On January 9, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals will hear arguments on whether SB 261 enforcement should remain paused—and the hearing may offer early signals that shape how quickly both SB 253 and SB 261 move in 2026.Even amid uncertainty, expectations from customers and investors for credible climate governance and data remain high. Join Watershed General Counsel Rob Chesnut and leading legal experts for a rapid-response breakdown and audience Q&A of what happened in the hearing, what signals the judges may have sent, and how companies should adjust—or hold steady—their 2026 reporting plans.

We’ll cover:

• Realistic decision timelines and possible next steps from the Ninth Circuit and Supreme Court
• What remains unchanged for SB 253 and SB 261 reporting in 2026
• Why proactive preparation still reduces compliance risk and cost
• How leading companies are continuing climate risk assessments and emissions measurement