Exxon Mobil has filed a lawsuit against California, claiming that two new climate laws infringe upon its right to free speech and are "counterproductive" in addressing global warming. The oil giant, which is one of the world's largest polluters, argues that the state laws require it to disclose more than it wants to about its carbon emissions and financial risks.
Under the California Climate Accountability Package, large companies operating in the state must report their planet-heating emissions and climate-related financial risks by 2026. Exxon claims that this would force it to "serve as a mouthpiece for ideas with which it disagrees" - essentially, forcing it to speak out against its own business practices.
The company already voluntarily reports its emissions and climate risks using different methodologies than the state's preferred frameworks. However, under one of the laws, Exxon would have to use a methodology developed by the World Resources Institute and business network World Business Council for Sustainable Development, which Exxon says is "misleading" and "counterproductive".
Exxon argues that the law requiring it to disclose its global emissions footprint should only apply to emissions created within California's borders, as most of its operations are outside the state. The company also claims that another law requiring companies to disclose the threat of climate change to their business operations is too vague and would force it to speculate about unknown future developments.
The lawsuit seeks to block the enforcement of both laws, which Exxon claims constitute an overreach by California officials. Supporters of the laws say they will "pull back the curtain" on greenwashing by companies like Exxon.
This latest move from Exxon comes as other business groups have already challenged similar climate disclosure rules in federal courts. The US Securities and Exchange Commission was also working on new federal climate disclosure rules before facing legal challenges.
Under the California Climate Accountability Package, large companies operating in the state must report their planet-heating emissions and climate-related financial risks by 2026. Exxon claims that this would force it to "serve as a mouthpiece for ideas with which it disagrees" - essentially, forcing it to speak out against its own business practices.
The company already voluntarily reports its emissions and climate risks using different methodologies than the state's preferred frameworks. However, under one of the laws, Exxon would have to use a methodology developed by the World Resources Institute and business network World Business Council for Sustainable Development, which Exxon says is "misleading" and "counterproductive".
Exxon argues that the law requiring it to disclose its global emissions footprint should only apply to emissions created within California's borders, as most of its operations are outside the state. The company also claims that another law requiring companies to disclose the threat of climate change to their business operations is too vague and would force it to speculate about unknown future developments.
The lawsuit seeks to block the enforcement of both laws, which Exxon claims constitute an overreach by California officials. Supporters of the laws say they will "pull back the curtain" on greenwashing by companies like Exxon.
This latest move from Exxon comes as other business groups have already challenged similar climate disclosure rules in federal courts. The US Securities and Exchange Commission was also working on new federal climate disclosure rules before facing legal challenges.
. Exxon is complaining about free speech? They're the ones who've been polluting our planet for decades and now they want to be able to keep mum about their own emissions? Give me a break 
. It's like them trying to claim ignorance - "oh, we didn't know about climate change" 
. Newsflash: you guys have been making bank off fossil fuels while the rest of us are stuck with rising sea levels and wildfires.
, if you're gonna profiteer from burning coal and oil, then be transparent about your dirty business practices. It's not like we're asking them to confess to a crime or anything 
. And btw, "counterproductive" is just corporate speak for "we don't wanna do this" 
.
. Companies like Exxon think they can just hide behind some fancy jargon and we'll be none the wiser? 
. We've been watching you guys for too long 
.
! Like, I get it, companies don't want to be held accountable for their environmental impact, but come on Exxon, you're one of the biggest polluters out there and now you're trying to claim that California's laws are an overreach? 
.
. Every major polluter is trying to avoid accountability and now Exxon is jumping on the bandwagon.
I'm so frustrated with companies like this that just try to weasel out of responsibility. Newsflash: reporting your carbon emissions isn't free speech, it's doing what's right for the planet! 
.
It's like they're saying "we can't be held accountable for our actions because we don't want to admit that we're doing something wrong". But isn't accountability exactly what we need to make progress on this issue? 
The laws are just trying to level the playing field and give us a clearer picture of where we stand. I'm curious, do we really have a choice between self-preservation and transparency in this case?
. But, at the same time, can't they just be honest about their impact on the planet? It feels like a lose-lose situation for everyone involved.
.
. One thing's for sure, we need more transparency and accountability from these corporations 
. I'm not sure how transparent you can be while still spewing out all that CO2 
. It's like they're trying to gaslight us into thinking this isn't a big deal 
. and what really gets me is that they're comparing this to greenwashing – i think we can all agree that's a bad thing, but if they're genuinely concerned about being transparent, maybe they should just focus on being honest about their own role in causing climate change? 
. Like, they're one of the biggest polluters out there, it's only right that they be held accountable for their actions 
. If they're not happy with the state laws, maybe they should just reduce their emissions like everyone else 
.
. And what's with this "pulling back the curtain" on greenwashing 
? That's like, exactly what these laws are supposed to do! They're just trying to keep it real and honest 
.
. Maybe they should all just get on the same page and work together to find solutions instead of playing games with transparency and accountability 
.
need to be held accountable 
is just a smokescreen 
. They're trying to avoid sharing their own dirty secrets 
. California's laws are a step in the right direction 
, making companies like Exxon transparent about their emissions 
.
and start taking responsibility for their actions 
. I'm all for them using different reporting methods 
.
. Greenwashing is a real thing 
, and it's time for companies like Exxon to be called out 
. The people want transparency 
️, and California's laws are just the start 
!
. I mean, can you think of a more ironic lawsuit coming from an oil giant? They're basically saying that California is overstepping its bounds by forcing them to be transparent about their carbon emissions and financial risks, when in reality they're one of the biggest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions worldwide.
It's like, you know what would be good? If you actually started being honest about your emissions and climate risks instead of trying to hide them. 
