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Corporate Green Pledges

Author

Listed:
  • Michael Bauer
  • Daniel Huber
  • Eric Offner
  • Marlene Renkel
  • Ole Wilms
  • Michael D. Bauer

Abstract

We identify corporate commitments for reductions of greenhouse gas emissions—green pledges—from news articles using a large language model. About 8% of U.S. firms have made green pledges, and these companies tend to be larger and browner than those without pledges. Announcements of green pledges significantly and persistently raise stock prices, consistent with reductions in the carbon premium. Firms that make green pledges subsequently reduce their CO2 emissions. Our evidence suggests that green pledges are credible, have material new information for investors, and can reduce perceived transition risk.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael Bauer & Daniel Huber & Eric Offner & Marlene Renkel & Ole Wilms & Michael D. Bauer, 2024. "Corporate Green Pledges," CESifo Working Paper Series 11507, CESifo.
  • Handle: RePEc:ces:ceswps:_11507
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    climate finance; decarbonization commitments; text classification; event study; transition risk; carbon premium;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G14 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Information and Market Efficiency; Event Studies; Insider Trading
    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill
    • Q54 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Climate; Natural Disasters and their Management; Global Warming
    • Q56 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environment and Development; Environment and Trade; Sustainability; Environmental Accounts and Accounting; Environmental Equity; Population Growth

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