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Does sustainability generate better financial performance? review, meta-analysis, and propositions

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  • Ulrich Atz
  • Tracy Van Holt
  • Zongyuan Zoe Liu
  • Christopher C. Bruno

Abstract

Sustainability in business and ESG (environmental, social, and governance) in finance have exploded in popularity among researchers and practitioners. We surveyed 1,141 primary peer-reviewed papers and 27 meta-reviews (based on ∼1,400 underlying studies) published between 2015 and 2020. Aggregate conclusions from a sample suggest that the financial performance of ESG investing has on average been indistinguishable from conventional investing (with one in three studies indicating superior performance) – in contrast with research in the wider management literature as well as industry reports. Until recently top finance journals did not publish climate change related studies, yet these studies capture the frontier of corporate risk and ESG investment strategies. We developed three propositions: first, ESG integration as a strategy seems to perform better than screening or divestment; second, ESG investing provides asymmetric benefits, especially during a social or economic crisis; and third, decarbonization strategies can potentially capture a climate risk premium.

Suggested Citation

  • Ulrich Atz & Tracy Van Holt & Zongyuan Zoe Liu & Christopher C. Bruno, 2023. "Does sustainability generate better financial performance? review, meta-analysis, and propositions," Journal of Sustainable Finance & Investment, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 13(1), pages 802-825, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:jsustf:v:13:y:2023:i:1:p:802-825
    DOI: 10.1080/20430795.2022.2106934
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    Cited by:

    1. Andreas Breitenfellner & Heider Kariem, 2023. "What do people in Austria think about green finance?," Financial Stability Report, Oesterreichische Nationalbank (Austrian Central Bank), issue 46, pages 47-63.
    2. Muhtar Sapiri & Aditya Halim Perdana Kusuma Putra, 2023. "Causality of Bank Financial Performance, Green Bond, CSR, Green Financing Portfolio and CO2 Emissions in Transportation: Evidence from Indonesia," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 13(6), pages 511-522, November.
    3. Song, Yunling & Wu, Hao & Ma, Yan, 2023. "Does ESG performance affect audit pricing? Evidence from China," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 90(C).
    4. Syed Shoaib Nazir & Taimur Ashiq & Mazhar Farid Chishti & Riffat Ullah & Athar Marwat, 2024. "Assessing Financial Stability through ESG: The Impact of Sustainable Finance on Commercial Banks listed in Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX)," Bulletin of Business and Economics (BBE), Research Foundation for Humanity (RFH), vol. 13(3), pages 120-129.
    5. Bauckloh, Tobias & Dobrick, Juris & Höck, André & Utz, Sebastian & Wagner, Marcus, 2024. "In partnership for the goals? The level of agreement between SDG ratings," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 217(C), pages 664-678.

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