SB 253 Deadline: August 10, 2026

California Climate Disclosure Compliance

California's SB 253 and SB 261 are reshaping how large companies report their greenhouse gas emissions and climate risks — with real consequences for wine, food & beverage, and agriculture companies up and down the supply chain.

I bring 15+ years of hands-on sustainability expertise in California's food and beverage industry — including 9 years as Sustainability Director at one of the state's largest wine companies. I speak your industry's language, and I know what your Scope 3 inventory actually looks like.

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California's Two Climate Disclosure Laws — SB 253 vs SB 261 at a glance

Understanding the Two Laws

Active — Act Now

SB 253 — Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act

Requires U.S.-organized entities with more than $1 billion in annual revenue doing business in California to publicly disclose Scope 1, 2, and 3 GHG emissions on an annual basis.

~2,600 companies subject to SB 253

Scope 1 & 2 first reporting deadline: August 10, 2026

Scope 3 reporting commences 2027 or later

Voluntary — Injunction in Effect

SB 261 — Climate-Related Financial Risk Act

Requires companies with more than $500 million in revenue doing business in California to biennially disclose climate-related financial risks and their plans to address them. Currently under a Ninth Circuit injunction — reporting is voluntary while litigation continues.

~4,100 companies subject to SB 261

Ninth Circuit injunction pauses mandatory reporting

Aligned with TCFD climate risk disclosure frameworks

What This Means for Wine, Food & Beverage

Food and beverage is directly in scope. The law covers global agri-food giants — companies like Tyson Foods, Dairy Farmers of America, Del Monte Foods, Nestlé, E. & J. Gallo Winery, Blue Diamond Growers, and many others operating in California. These companies are now legally required to disclose their full Scope 3 value chain emissions.

That means they are looking at every supplier. If you sell to a company covered by SB 253, you will receive supplier questionnaires, emissions data requests, and new compliance expectations you may never have encountered before.

And here's the bigger picture: the real opportunity isn't just the 2,600 directly covered companies — it's the tens of thousands of suppliers in their value chains. A $200M winery selling to a major grocery chain or a large wine group is going to feel this law even if they're below the revenue threshold.

The Key Insight

The generic ESG platforms and Big 4 consultants covering this space don't understand how Scope 3 flows through a winery's value chain, what a vineyard's Scope 1 actually looks like, or how to translate GHG protocol into terms that make sense in your world. I do — because I've built these inventories from scratch, at scale, in your industry.

F&B Companies Directly in Scope

E. & J. Gallo Winery
Tyson Foods
Nestlé USA
Dairy Farmers of America
Del Monte Foods
Blue Diamond Growers
Sysco Corporation
US Foods
Other major food & bev manufacturers

Not directly covered? Your largest customers likely are. As Scope 3 reporting becomes mandatory, supplier data requests will cascade throughout the entire food & beverage supply chain — including companies well below the $1B threshold.

Why Work With Me

Deep Industry Roots

15+ years in California's food, beverage, and wine industry — including 9 years as Sustainability Director at one of the state's largest wine companies. I've built GHG inventories, managed Scope 3 supplier programs, and navigated the exact compliance landscape your business faces.

SB 253-Ready Methodology

I use GHG Protocol-aligned methodologies that meet the SB 253 reporting standard. Your Scope 1, 2, and 3 inventory will be built to withstand scrutiny — whether from CARB, your customers, or your investors. No guesswork, no generic templates.

Boutique Attention, Enterprise Results

As a specialized boutique practice, I work directly with your team — not a junior analyst. You get personalized guidance tailored to your operations, your supply chain, and your timeline, without the overhead of a Big 4 engagement.

GHG emissions breakdown by scope — built for food & beverage operations

Decarbonization strategy built for your business and budget

What We'll Work On Together

My SB 253 compliance engagement is built for wine, food & beverage, and agricultural companies that need a credible, defensible GHG inventory — delivered by someone who actually understands how your business runs.

SB 253 Readiness Assessment
I start with a complimentary assessment to evaluate where you stand — what data you have, what gaps exist, and how much effort your full compliance program will require. No sales pitch, just an honest picture.
Scope 1 & 2 GHG Inventory
Complete inventory of your direct (Scope 1) and purchased energy (Scope 2) emissions, built to GHG Protocol standards and ready for the August 10, 2026 reporting deadline.
Scope 3 Value Chain Analysis
Mapping and quantification of your value chain emissions — including purchased goods, agricultural ingredients, transportation, and waste. Particularly critical for food & beverage companies, where Scope 3 often represents 70–90% of total footprint.
Hotspot & Heat Map Analysis
Visual analysis of your highest-impact emission sources across Scope 1, 2, and 3. Gives you and your team a clear picture of where to focus reduction efforts first.
Supplier Data Program
For companies with complex supply chains — I help you design and execute a supplier engagement program to gather the primary data your Scope 3 inventory requires.
Disclosure-Ready Documentation
Full methodology documentation, data sources, assumptions, and audit trail — everything CARB and your stakeholders will need to verify your disclosures.
Reduction Roadmap
Beyond compliance, I help you build a credible decarbonization plan that turns your SB 253 inventory into a strategic asset — for investors, customers, and certifications alike.

August 10, 2026 Deadline for Scope 1 & 2

Start With a Complimentary SB 253 Assessment

Not sure where to begin? I offer a no-cost, no-obligation assessment for food, beverage, and wine companies navigating California's climate disclosure requirements. We'll spend 45–60 minutes reviewing your situation and walk away with a clear picture of your compliance needs and next steps.

Book Your Assessment

Send me a message through the contact form. I typically respond within one business day.

Readiness Review

I review your current data, operations, and supply chain to assess what your SB 253 compliance program requires.

Clear Next Steps

You leave with an honest assessment of your situation and a practical roadmap — whether we work together or not.

"Aaron is exceptionally smart, thoughtful, and dedicated, combining deep technical expertise with a work ethic that consistently delivers results. He's one of the most reliable and genuinely great people I've collaborated with, and I highly recommend him to any organization seeking top-tier sustainability consulting."

Josh Prigge Sustainability Consultant, Sustridge

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