On Friday, SEC Chairman Gensler announced the appointment of five lawyers to his policy staff. Among them is one individual--Mika Morse, who previously worked for Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii)--with the title of "climate counsel" whose policy remit is to be the "lead policy advisor on climate-risk finance issues."
Chairman Gensler's decision to appoint someone to his policy staff whose sole focus will be on climate risk and its impact on financial matters further highlights the importance of climate issues to the SEC's agenda. It seems clear that noteworthy developments will be taking place in this regulatory space over the next few months--and likely led by Ms. Morse, as "Climate Counsel."