South Dakota Attorney General Joins Multi-State Challenge to Climate Reporting Efforts

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley has joined a coalition of 16 state attorneys general raising concerns about climate-related financial reporting initiatives backed by the nation’s largest accounting firms.

In a letter sent to Deloitte, Ernst & Young, KPMG, and PricewaterhouseCoopers, the coalition argues that the firms’ advocacy for climate-related reporting standards could conflict with their role as independent auditors.

Jackley says the reporting requirements could increase compliance costs for small businesses and consumers while benefiting the accounting firms promoting the measures.

The coalition also expressed consumer protection concerns, saying clients should be fully informed about any climate-related commitments made by firms that provide audit and advisory services.