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Sustainable Development and European Banks: A Non-Financial Disclosure Analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Simona Cosma

    (Department of Economic Sciences, University of Salento, Via per Monteroni, n.7, 73100 Lecce, Italy)

  • Andrea Venturelli

    (Department of Economic Sciences, University of Salento, Via per Monteroni, n.7, 73100 Lecce, Italy)

  • Paola Schwizer

    (Department of Economics, University of Parma, 43121 Parma, Italy)

  • Vittorio Boscia

    (Department of Economic Sciences, University of Salento, Via per Monteroni, n.7, 73100 Lecce, Italy)

Abstract

This paper aims at contributing to the debate on the relationships between the European financial sector and sustainable development. Using a non-financial disclosure analysis of 262 European banks, the research sought, first, to investigate the “scope” of the contribution of European banks to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and, second, to explore the factors that seem to differentiate the SDGs approach among banks. The results show that country of origin, legal system, and adoption of an integrated report seem to differentiate banks in terms of contribution to the SDGs. The business model and stock exchange listing, conversely, do not seem to represent discriminatory factor in the contribution of banks toward the SDGs. The study can be useful for managers and decision makers to develop policies to support organizations in contributing to the SDGs.

Suggested Citation

  • Simona Cosma & Andrea Venturelli & Paola Schwizer & Vittorio Boscia, 2020. "Sustainable Development and European Banks: A Non-Financial Disclosure Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(15), pages 1-19, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:15:p:6146-:d:392326
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    4. Sabrina Spallini & Virginia Milone & Antonio Nisio & Patrizia Romanazzi, 2021. "The Dimension of Sustainability: A Comparative Analysis of Broadness of Information in Italian Companies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-22, January.
    5. Ozili, Peterson K, 2023. "Bank loan loss provisioning for sustainable development: the case for a sustainable or green loan loss provisioning system," MPRA Paper 115989, University Library of Munich, Germany.
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