IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/bla/bstrat/v32y2023i8p5583-5601.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

What explains firms' net zero adoption, strategy and response?

Author

Listed:
  • Zola Berger‐Schmitz
  • Douglas George
  • Cameron Hindal
  • Richard Perkins
  • Maria Travaille

Abstract

The past few years have witnessed a proliferation of corporate net zero emission targets. Despite their growing prominence, little is known about firms' motives for, strategies towards and response pathways of net zero. This paper seeks to narrow the current gap in understanding through an analysis of 30 interview responses. We find evidence that net zero targets have been propelled by a combination of institutional and competitive pressures. Yet firms' response to these pressures, in terms of the substantivity of their commitments and strategic positioning in relation to net zero, has varied significantly. Whilst identifying a role for firm‐specific factors, we also draw attention to the importance of sectors in understanding variations in corporate responses. A further contribution of the paper is to map out different temporal trajectories of strategic positioning and offer insights into the factors that lead firms to remain static or change their position towards net zero over time. We conclude by discussing the implications of these findings for both future scholarship and the contribution of net zero commitments to public climate goals.

Suggested Citation

  • Zola Berger‐Schmitz & Douglas George & Cameron Hindal & Richard Perkins & Maria Travaille, 2023. "What explains firms' net zero adoption, strategy and response?," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(8), pages 5583-5601, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:bstrat:v:32:y:2023:i:8:p:5583-5601
    DOI: 10.1002/bse.3437
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.3437
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1002/bse.3437?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Bento, Nuno & Gianfrate, Gianfranco, 2020. "Determinants of internal carbon pricing," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 143(C).
    2. Charles H. Cho & Matias Laine & Robin W. Roberts & Michelle Rodrigue, 2018. "The Frontstage and Backstage of Corporate Sustainability Reporting: Evidence from the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Bill," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 152(3), pages 865-886, October.
    3. Jayme Walenta, 2020. "Climate risk assessments and science‐based targets: A review of emerging private sector climate action tools," Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate Change, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 11(2), March.
    4. Peter Newell, 2020. "The business of rapid transition," Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate Change, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 11(6), November.
    5. Binh Bui & Carolyn J. Fowler, 2019. "Strategic Responses to Changing Climate Change Policies: The Role Played by Carbon Accounting," Australian Accounting Review, CPA Australia, vol. 29(2), pages 360-375, June.
    6. Jon Birger Skjærseth & Tora Skodvin, 2001. "Climate Change and the Oil Industry: Common Problems, Different Strategies," Global Environmental Politics, MIT Press, vol. 1(4), pages 43-64, November.
    7. Christine Oliver, 1997. "Sustainable competitive advantage: combining institutional and resource‐based views," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 18(9), pages 697-713, October.
    8. Ana Beatriz Lopes de Sousa Jabbour & Diego Vazquez‐Brust & Charbel José Chiappetta Jabbour & Daniela Andriani Ribeiro, 2020. "The interplay between stakeholders, resources and capabilities in climate change strategy: converting barriers into cooperation," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(3), pages 1362-1386, March.
    9. Emma Avetisyan & Michel Ferrary, 2013. "Dynamics of Stakeholders’ Implications in the Institutionalization of the CSR Field in France and in the United States," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 115(1), pages 115-133, June.
    10. Jonas Meckling, 2015. "Oppose, Support, or Hedge? Distributional Effects, Regulatory Pressure, and Business Strategy in Environmental Politics," Global Environmental Politics, MIT Press, vol. 15(2), pages 19-37, May.
    11. Daniel Witte, 2020. "Business for Climate: A Qualitative Comparative Analysis of Policy Support from Transnational Companies," Global Environmental Politics, MIT Press, vol. 20(4), pages 167-191, Autumn.
    12. Federica Gasbarro & Jonatan Pinkse, 2016. "Corporate Adaptation Behaviour to Deal With Climate Change: The Influence of Firm‐Specific Interpretations of Physical Climate Impacts," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 23(3), pages 179-192, May.
    13. Su‐Yol Lee, 2012. "Corporate Carbon Strategies in Responding to Climate Change," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 21(1), pages 33-48, January.
    14. Eun-Hee Kim & Thomas P. Lyon, 2015. "Greenwash vs. Brownwash: Exaggeration and Undue Modesty in Corporate Sustainability Disclosure," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 26(3), pages 705-723, June.
    15. David Christopher Sprengel & Timo Busch, 2011. "Stakeholder engagement and environmental strategy – the case of climate change," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 20(6), pages 351-364, September.
    16. K. Dhanda & Laura Hartman, 2011. "The Ethics of Carbon Neutrality: A Critical Examination of Voluntary Carbon Offset Providers," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 100(1), pages 119-149, April.
    17. Bui, Binh & Houqe, Muhammad Nurul & Zaman, Mahbub, 2020. "Climate governance effects on carbon disclosure and performance," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 52(2).
    18. Frederik Dahlmann & Layla Branicki & Stephen Brammer, 2019. "Managing Carbon Aspirations: The Influence of Corporate Climate Change Targets on Environmental Performance," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 158(1), pages 1-24, August.
    19. Khine Kyaw & Sirimon Treepongkaruna & Pornsit Jiraporn, 2022. "Board gender diversity and environmental emissions," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(7), pages 2871-2881, November.
    20. Esben Pedersen & Wencke Gwozdz, 2014. "From Resistance to Opportunity-Seeking: Strategic Responses to Institutional Pressures for Corporate Social Responsibility in the Nordic Fashion Industry," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 119(2), pages 245-264, January.
    21. Jessica Green & Jennifer Hadden & Thomas Hale & Paasha Mahdavi, 2022. "Transition, hedge, or resist? Understanding political and economic behavior toward decarbonization in the oil and gas industry," Review of International Political Economy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 29(6), pages 2036-2063, November.
    22. Niccolò Maria Todaro & Francesco Testa & Tiberio Daddi & Fabio Iraldo, 2021. "The influence of managers' awareness of climate change, perceived climate risk exposure and risk tolerance on the adoption of corporate responses to climate change," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(2), pages 1232-1248, February.
    23. Lyton Chithambo & Ishmael Tingbani & Godfred Afrifa Agyapong & Ernest Gyapong & Isaac Sakyi Damoah, 2020. "Corporate voluntary greenhouse gas reporting: Stakeholder pressure and the mediating role of the chief executive officer," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(4), pages 1666-1683, May.
    24. David Littlewood & Rachel Decelis & Carola Hillenbrand & Diane Holt, 2018. "Examining the drivers and outcomes of corporate commitment to climate change action in European high emitting industry," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 27(8), pages 1437-1449, December.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Abreu, Mônica Cavalcanti Sá de & Webb, Kernaghan & Araújo, Francisco Sávio Maurício & Cavalcante, Jaime Phasquinel Lopes, 2021. "From “business as usual” to tackling climate change: Exploring factors affecting low-carbon decision-making in the canadian oil and gas sector," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 148(PA).
    2. Matthew P. Johnson & Theresa S. Rötzel & Brigitte Frank, 2023. "Beyond conventional corporate responses to climate change towards deep decarbonization: a systematic literature review," Management Review Quarterly, Springer, vol. 73(2), pages 921-954, June.
    3. Berger-Schmitz, Zola & George, Douglas & Hindal, Cameron & Perkins, Richard & Travaille, Maria, 2023. "What explains firms’ net zero adoption, strategy and response?," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 118646, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    4. Tesfaye T. Lemma & Ayalew Lulseged & Mohammad Tavakolifar, 2021. "Corporate commitment to climate change action, carbon risk exposure, and a firm's debt financing policy," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(8), pages 3919-3936, December.
    5. Ana Beatriz Lopes de Sousa Jabbour & Diego Vazquez‐Brust & Charbel José Chiappetta Jabbour & Daniela Andriani Ribeiro, 2020. "The interplay between stakeholders, resources and capabilities in climate change strategy: converting barriers into cooperation," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(3), pages 1362-1386, March.
    6. David Coen & Kyle Herman & Tom Pegram, 2022. "Are corporate climate efforts genuine? An empirical analysis of the climate ‘talk–walk’ hypothesis," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(7), pages 3040-3059, November.
    7. Katrina Lintukangas & Heli Arminen & Anni-Kaisa Kähkönen & Elina Karttunen, 2023. "Determinants of Supply Chain Engagement in Carbon Management," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 186(1), pages 87-104, August.
    8. Shoaib Aslam & Mohamed H. Elmagrhi & Ramiz Ur Rehman & Collins G. Ntim, 2021. "Environmental management practices and financial performance using data envelopment analysis in Japan: The mediating role of environmental performance," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(4), pages 1655-1673, May.
    9. Sanjay Patnaik, 2020. "Emissions permit allocation and strategic firm behavior: Evidence from the oil sector in the European Union emissions trading scheme," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(3), pages 976-995, March.
    10. Yong Liu, 2018. "Exploring the Relationship between External Positive–Negative Pressures and the Carbon Management Behaviour of Industrial Firms," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 25(4), pages 628-641, July.
    11. Niccolò Maria Todaro & Francesco Testa & Tiberio Daddi & Fabio Iraldo, 2021. "The influence of managers' awareness of climate change, perceived climate risk exposure and risk tolerance on the adoption of corporate responses to climate change," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(2), pages 1232-1248, February.
    12. Frederik Dahlmann & Layla Branicki & Stephen Brammer, 2017. "‘Carrots for Corporate Sustainability’: Impacts of Incentive Inclusiveness and Variety on Environmental Performance," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 26(8), pages 1110-1131, December.
    13. Daniel Witte, 2020. "Business for Climate: A Qualitative Comparative Analysis of Policy Support from Transnational Companies," Global Environmental Politics, MIT Press, vol. 20(4), pages 167-191, Autumn.
    14. Khalil Nimer & Muath Abdelqader & Cemil Kuzey & Ali Uyar, 2024. "Emission targeting and carbon emissions: The moderating effect of female directors," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(4), pages 3480-3504, May.
    15. Agnieszka Karman, 2022. "The Homogenization of Carbon Management Practices: How Organizations Response to Isomorphic Pressures to Reduce GHG Emissions," European Research Studies Journal, European Research Studies Journal, vol. 0(1), pages 148-173.
    16. Taiwen Feng & Hongyan Sheng, 2023. "Identifying the equifinal configurations of prompting green supply chain integration and subsequent performance outcome," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(8), pages 5234-5251, December.
    17. Maia, Rodrigo Gomes Távora & Garcia, Katia Cristina, 2023. "What they say, what they do and how they do it: An evaluation of the energy transition and GHG emissions of electricity companies," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 174(C).
    18. Dewan Muktadir‐Al‐Mukit & Firoz Haroon Bhaiyat, 2024. "Impact of corporate governance diversity on carbon emission under environmental policy via the mandatory nonfinancial reporting regulation," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(2), pages 1397-1417, February.
    19. Afrifa, Godfred Adjapong & Tingbani, Ishmael & Yamoah, Fred & Appiah, Gloria, 2020. "Innovation input, governance and climate change: Evidence from emerging countries," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 161(C).
    20. Theodore Metaxas & Maria Tsavdaridou, 2017. "Environmental Policy and CSR in Petroleum Refining Companies in Greece: Content and Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Analysis," Journal of Environmental Assessment Policy and Management (JEAPM), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 19(03), pages 1-29, September.

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:bla:bstrat:v:32:y:2023:i:8:p:5583-5601. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Wiley Content Delivery (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1002/(ISSN)1099-0836 .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.