A video of this podcast is available on YouTube, Spotify, or PwC’s website at viewpoint.pwc.com.

Energy demand is rising at a pace few anticipated, driven by AI, data centers, electrification, and industrial growth. In this episode, host Heather Horn speaks with Gayle Miller, Head of Strategic Investor Engagement for Brookfield’s Global Client Group and Senior Advisor to its Renewable Power & Transition business, about what an “all-of-the-above” energy strategy looks like in practice—and how investors are evaluating risk, value, and sustainability reporting in this new era of energy security.

In this episode, we discuss:

• 3:59 – The forces influencing energy demand to accelerate
• 6:28 – What an “all-of-the-above” energy strategy means in practice
• 12:04 – How utilities, hyperscalers, and investors are working together to secure power
• 16:49 – Grid constraints, demand smoothing, and AI-enabled optimization
• 22:40 – The evolving energy mix: renewables, storage, gas and nuclear
• 36:48 – Cap-and-trade, renewable standards, and emissions policy tools
• 42:20 – Corporate climate commitments and the role of sustainability reporting

Looking for the latest developments in sustainability reporting? Follow this podcast on your favorite podcast app and subscribe to our weekly newsletter to stay in the loop for the latest thought leadership on sustainability standards.

About our guest

Gayle Miller is Head of Strategic Investor Engagement for Brookfield’s Global Client Group and a Senior Advisor to the Renewable Power & Transition business. In this role, she oversees critical touchpoints and programs tailored for institutional clients and continues to advise on the energy transition.

Prior to joining Brookfield in 2024, Ms. Miller was chief deputy of policy to the California Department of Finance and senior counselor on infrastructure and clean energy finance to the Governor, where she championed the state's landmark clean energy agenda. She previously was vice chair of the investment committee for the California Teachers’ Retirement System and served as an advisor to the Governor for the California Public Employee Retirement System.

About our host

Heather Horn is the PwC National Office Sustainability and Thought Leader, responsible for developing our communications strategy and conveying firm positions on accounting, financial reporting, and sustainability matters. In addition, she is part of PwC’s global sustainability leadership team, developing interpretive guidance and consulting with companies as they transition from voluntary to mandatory sustainability reporting. She is also the engaging host of PwC’s accounting and reporting weekly podcast and quarterly webcast series.

Transcripts available upon request for individuals who may need a disability-related accommodation. Please send requests to us_podcast@pwc.com.

Did you enjoy this episode? Text us your thoughts and be sure to include the episode name.

On February 24, the Council of the European Union officially adopted the ‘Omnibus’ directive. Key aspects of the ‘Omnibus’ directive include changes to the scope of entities subject to the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) as well as guidance on simplified European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), sector guidance, assurance standards, and value chain reporting.

This approval and other recent milestones in the EU legislative process and standard setting efforts are shaping the next phase of sustainability reporting. In this episode, we provide an update on the Omnibus package and discuss the latest developments in the proposed revisions to the ESRS. We explore what is expected to be finalized soon, where there is still opportunity for change, and the key implications for companies preparing for upcoming reporting requirements.

In this episode, we discuss:

• 2:48 – Updated scope and timing requirements for EU and non-EU entities
• 11:14 – Streamlined general disclosure requirements and cross-cutting changes
• 14:31 – Changes to double materiality and flexibility in the assessment process
• 17:34 – Clarifications on mitigation, remediation, and assessing impacts
• 22:54 – Reporting boundary updates, including the impact of leased assets and GHG emissions
• 27:51 – New reliefs: reasonable and supportable information, acquisitions and disposals, and metric flexibility
• 36:07 – What’s next in the European Commission process and how companies can prepare now

Looking for more on sustainability reporting?

• Read PwC’s Sustainability reporting guide
• Check out other episodes in our sustainability reporting podcast series

About our guest

Diana Stoltzfus is a sustainability partner in the Professional Practice Group within the National Office. Diana helps to shape our firm’s perspective on regulatory matters, responses to rulemakings, and policy development and implementation related to significant new rules and regulations. Diana was previously the Deputy Chief Accountant in the Office of the Chief Accountant (OCA) of the Professional Practice Group in the OCA at the SEC. She focused on providing guidance related to auditing, independence, and internal controls.

About our host

Heather Horn is the PwC National Office Sustainability and Thought Leader, responsible for developing our communications strategy and conveying firm positions on accounting, financial reporting, and sustainability matters. In addition, she is part of PwC’s global sustainability leadership team, developing interpretive guidance and consulting with companies as they transition from voluntary to mandatory sustainability reporting. She is also the engaging host of PwC’s accounting and reporting weekly podcast and quarterly webcast series.

Transcripts available upon request for individuals who may need a disability-related accommodation. Please send requests to us_podcast@pwc.com.

Did you enjoy this episode? Text us your thoughts and be sure to include the episode name.

California’s climate disclosure laws are entering a critical phase as key compliance deadlines approach. SB 253 (the Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act) requires companies to report greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in accordance with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, while SB 261 (Greenhouse gases: climate-related financial risk) mandates disclosure of climate-related financial risks aligned with the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) or an equivalent framework. Although SB 261 is currently on hold due to litigation, companies should continue preparing. In this episode, we break down the latest developments from the California Air and Resources Board (CARB), what companies need to report in 2026, and how to prepare amid ongoing regulatory and legal uncertainty.

In this episode, we discuss the latest developments from the California Air Resources Board (CARB), 2026 reporting requirements, and how to navigate ongoing regulatory and legal uncertainty. In this episode, we break down the latest developments from the California Air and Resources Board (CARB), what companies need to report in 2026, and how to prepare amid ongoing regulatory and legal uncertainty.

In this episode, we discuss:

• 2:50 Deadline for SB 253 (GHG) reporting
• 4:39 Reporting requirements for SB 253
• 13:21 Deadline for SB 261 (climate risk) reporting
• 16:52 Reporting requirements for SB 261
• 20:43 What to expect from CARB in 2026
• 24:20 Applicability considerations and key exemptions

For more on the California sustainability laws, read our In depth, California climate reporting–SB 253 and SB 261 explained.

Looking for the latest developments in sustainability reporting? Follow this podcast on your favorite podcast app and subscribe to our weekly newsletter to stay in the loop for the latest thought leadership on sustainability standards.

About our guest

Logan Redlin is a director in PwC’s National Office who is focused on thought leadership strategy and content development related to accounting and financial reporting, sustainability reporting, and standard setting. Prior to this role, Logan spent 15 years in the audit practice, serving both public and private companies with a primary focus on asset management and real estate.

About our guest host

Diana Stoltzfus is a sustainability partner in the Professional Practice Group within the National Office. Diana helps to shape our firm’s perspective on regulatory matters, responses to rulemakings, and policy development and implementation related to significant new rules and regulations. Diana was previously the Deputy Chief Accountant in the Office of the Chief Accountant (OCA) of the Professional Practice Group in the OCA at the SEC. She focused on providing guidance related to auditing, independence, and internal controls.

Transcripts available upon request for individuals who may need a disability-related accommodation. Please send requests to us_podcast@pwc.com.

Did you enjoy this episode? Text us your thoughts and be sure to include the episode name.