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From awareness to action: The role of ESG committees in driving corporate ambidextrous green innovation

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  • Huang, Yujie
  • Zhang, Guoqing
  • Chen, Xiaofeng
  • Du, Kerui

Abstract

How to transform environmental awareness into concrete green innovation (GI) actions has increasingly become a critical issue in corporate governance. As a key institutional arrangement for promoting corporate sustainability strategies, the effectiveness of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) committees in enhancing GI performance warrants further investigation. By collecting data on whether Chinese-listed companies established ESG-related committees (including CSR committees and sustainability committees) from 2010 to 2022, we find that the presence of ESG committees significantly promotes both green technological innovation (GTI) and green managerial innovation (GMI). Further analysis reveals that ESG committees drive GI through enhancing green transformation willingness and internal control quality, primarily due to their dual governance roles: advisory and supervisory. Overall, ESG committees on corporate boards are essential for driving GI and predominantly serve as a positive influence.

Suggested Citation

  • Huang, Yujie & Zhang, Guoqing & Chen, Xiaofeng & Du, Kerui, 2025. "From awareness to action: The role of ESG committees in driving corporate ambidextrous green innovation," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 150(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:eneeco:v:150:y:2025:i:c:s0140988325006620
    DOI: 10.1016/j.eneco.2025.108835
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