Press Releases

U.S. Representatives Don Beyer (D-VA) and Kevin Mullin (D-CA) introduced the Standardized Calculation of Operational Polluting Emissions (SCOPE) Act to direct the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish voluntary guidance for companies to disclose their indirect Scope 3 emissions, ensuring greater and uniform transparency for the public and consumers about a company’s environmental footprint. By directing the EPA to provide clear and specific guidance for Scope 3 emissions from direct emitter companies, this bill would help companies adhere to one set of standardized methodologies for calculating and disclosing their indirect emissions instead of having every company use a different system. 

“By creating a uniform framework for companies on how to calculate and report indirect greenhouse gas emissions along their supply chain, our legislation would empower companies and the American public with clear, comparable information about the environmental footprint of the products and services they rely on,” said Congressman Beyer. “This information will help companies and consumers understand the full scope of sustainability of these supply chains.” 

“Communities in California and across the country are already feeling the impacts of climate change, and Americans deserve transparent information about corporations’ greenhouse gas emissions. I'm proud to co-lead the SCOPE Act, which would make it easier for companies to report on their environmental footprint – an important step toward increasing corporate accountability,” said Congressman Mullin. 

U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA) leads companion legislation in the Senate.

"As the Trump administration rolls back regulations on greenhouse gas emissions and climate goals, we must work to redouble our efforts to safeguard longstanding environmental protections. Our legislation will direct the EPA to provide across-the-board guidance to companies so we have full transparency on the environmental impact of their operations,” said Senator Schiff.  

The bill is endorsed by Environment America, Sierra Club, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), League Of Conservation Voters (LCV), and Environment California. 

“Many companies have made commitments to protecting clean air and a livable climate, but tracking progress can be challenging,” said Lisa Frank, Executive Director of Environment America. “The SCOPE Act would help ensure progress towards a healthier environment by giving businesses, consumers and the public easily comparable information on emissions, so that we can better prevent and clean up pollution.”  

"It's more important than ever to have a clear picture of companies' Scope 3 emissions, and Sierra Club strongly supports Senator Schiff, Representative Beyer, and Representative Mullin’s SCOPE Act. We cannot make progress on the climate crisis if we don't have an accurate accounting of our emissions. The SCOPE Act is critical for transparency across all industries as we work to protect our communities from the impacts of the climate crisis,” said Patrick Drupp, Director of Climate Policy of Sierra Club. 

“At a time when the Trump administration is turning its back on the calculations and impacts of pollution, this bill takes an important step toward ensuring transparency around the climate impacts of corporate supply chains. It shines a spotlight on the need for companies to provide consistent, comparable and reliable data regarding their largest greenhouse gas emissions sources,” said Sam Goodstein, Managing Director of Federal Affairs of NRDC. 

“Corporate action on climate change remains a critical lever to drive U.S. innovation, economic competitiveness, and resilience. Senator Schiff, Rep. Beyer, and Rep. Mullin’s SCOPE Act recognizes the importance of getting a full picture of companies’ greenhouse gas emissions. Emissions reporting provides valuable information for markets and the public. At the same time, it helps American companies spot ways to mitigate risk, seize market opportunities and drive efficiency across supply chains and business activities,” said Joanna Slaney, Vice President for Political and Government Affairs of EDF. 

Full text of the Standardized Calculation of Operational Polluting Emissions (SCOPE) Act is available here.