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Does the implementation of green credit policy improve the ESG performance of enterprises? Evidence from a quasi-natural experiment in China

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  • Lei, Ni
  • Miao, Qin
  • Yao, Xin

Abstract

The extant literature has largely overlooked how green credit policy (GCP) affects corporate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance, which is important in assessing the micro effects of macro-resource allocation. This paper uses the panel data of A-share listed enterprises from 2007 to 2021 in China to investigate the effect of the GCP on corporate ESG performance and its potential mechanism with a difference-in-differences approach. Utilizing the release of the “Green Credit Guidelines” in China as a quasi-natural experiment, we find significant improvement in the ESG performance of green credit-restricted enterprises. Financial constraints and investment efficiency are two plausible channels that affect GCP-enterprise ESG performance nexus. The research results show heterogeneity in enterprise ownership, geographical location, and marketization level. This paper offers convenience for the precise promotion of future green credit policies.

Suggested Citation

  • Lei, Ni & Miao, Qin & Yao, Xin, 2023. "Does the implementation of green credit policy improve the ESG performance of enterprises? Evidence from a quasi-natural experiment in China," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 127(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecmode:v:127:y:2023:i:c:s0264999323002900
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econmod.2023.106478
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    Cited by:

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    3. Yiming Xu & Naiping Zhu, 2024. "The Effect of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Performance on Corporate Financial Performance in China: Based on the Perspective of Innovation and Financial Constraints," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-21, April.
    4. Yangjie Liao & Xiaokun Zhou, 2024. "Real green or fake green? Impact of green credit policy on corporate ESG performance," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-13, December.
    5. Wang, Xiaolin & Ye, Yingying, 2024. "Environmental protection tax and firms’ ESG investment: Evidence from China," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 131(C).
    6. Jannesar Niri, Anahita & Poelzer, Gregory A. & Zhang, Steven E. & Rosenkranz, Jan & Pettersson, Maria & Ghorbani, Yousef, 2024. "Sustainability challenges throughout the electric vehicle battery value chain," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 191(C).
    7. Minjuan Wang & Dingsheng Zhang, 2024. "Big Data Infrastructure and Corporate ESG Performance: Evidence from Listed Chinese Manufacturing Companies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(12), pages 1-24, June.
    8. Feng, Haiyan & Li, Yan, 2024. "The role of fintech, natural resources, environmental taxes and urbanization on environmental sustainability: Evidence from the novel panel data approaches," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 92(C).
    9. Zhang, Jinlong & Wu, Mingyue & Chen, Tingwei & Gao, Bin, 2024. "Green credit, financing constraints, and corporate investment: From the perspectives of scale and efficiency," The North American Journal of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 73(C).
    10. Liu, Zhonglu & Pang, Tengfei & Sun, Haibo, 2024. "Decarbonization policy and high-carbon enterprise default risk: Evidence from China," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 134(C).
    11. Xuemeng Guo & Jiaxin Ma & Yuting Feng & Bingyao Chen, 2023. "Green Credit Policy and Short-Term Financing for Long-Term Investment: Evidence from China’s Heavily Polluting Enterprises," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(24), pages 1-18, December.
    12. Chuanhao Liu & Peng Cui & Hongxia Zhao & Zhanzhen Zhang & Yanshuo Zhu & Huijiao Liu, 2024. "Green Finance, Economic Policy Uncertainty, and Corporate ESG Performance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-21, November.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Green credit; ESG performance; Financial constraint; China;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G38 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Government Policy and Regulation
    • Q51 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Valuation of Environmental Effects
    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill
    • Q01 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - General - - - Sustainable Development
    • O16 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Financial Markets; Saving and Capital Investment; Corporate Finance and Governance

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