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Greenwashing and credit spread: Evidence from the Chinese green bond market

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  • Xu, Guoquan
  • Lu, Nuotian
  • Tong, Yan

Abstract

This study analyzes how greenwashing affects green bond (GB) pricing. With a unique dataset, we empirically find that greenwashing does exist in the Chinese GB market, leading to higher credit spread compared to that of traditional bonds. However, green bonds with third-party certification have lower credit spread. Furthermore, the heterogeneity of trading venues and issuer ESG performance results in differential effects of third-party certification on GB credit spread. These findings enrich the understanding of green bond pricing and shed light on the development of the GB market.

Suggested Citation

  • Xu, Guoquan & Lu, Nuotian & Tong, Yan, 2022. "Greenwashing and credit spread: Evidence from the Chinese green bond market," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 48(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:finlet:v:48:y:2022:i:c:s1544612322001830
    DOI: 10.1016/j.frl.2022.102927
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    9. Huacheng Rao & Dongxu Chen & Feichao Shen & Yangyang Shen, 2022. "Can Green Bonds Stimulate Green Innovation in Enterprises? Evidence from China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-19, November.
    10. Hu, Xin & Zhu, Bo & Lin, Renda & Li, Xiru & Zeng, Lidan & Zhou, Sitong, 2024. "How does greenness translate into greenium? Evidence from China's green bonds," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 133(C).
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    12. Jinyu Chen & Yan Yang & Ran Liu & Yuan Geng & Xiaohang Ren, 2023. "Green bond issuance and corporate ESG performance: the perspective of internal attention and external supervision," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 10(1), pages 1-12, December.
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