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CEO power and firm decarbonisation efforts

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  • Kwabi, Frank Obenpong
  • Adamolekun, Gbenga
  • Kyiu, Anthony

Abstract

Using a global sample of 899 firms from 26 countries for the period 2000 to 2021, this study investigates the effect of CEO power on firms' decarbonisation efforts. We find that firms with higher levels of CEO power are associated with lower carbon emissions. Further analysis indicates that nationally diverse boards and older board members amplify the negative relationship between CEO power and carbon emissions. Similarly, powerful CEOs with high academic qualifications aggressively pursue corporate decarbonisation. The impact of CEO power on decarbonisation is more noticeable in carbon-intensive industries. Lastly, we document that climate legislation can be catalytic for decarbonisation.

Suggested Citation

  • Kwabi, Frank Obenpong & Adamolekun, Gbenga & Kyiu, Anthony, 2025. "CEO power and firm decarbonisation efforts," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 101(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:finana:v:101:y:2025:i:c:s1057521925001310
    DOI: 10.1016/j.irfa.2025.104044
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Carbon emissions; Decarbonisation; CEO power; Carbon-intensive industries;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G10 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - General (includes Measurement and Data)
    • G34 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Mergers; Acquisitions; Restructuring; Corporate Governance
    • Q52 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Pollution Control Adoption and Costs; Distributional Effects; Employment Effects
    • Q54 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Climate; Natural Disasters and their Management; Global Warming

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