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Climate change-related regulatory risks and bank lending

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  • Mueller, Isabella
  • Sfrappini, Eleonora

Abstract

We analyze how firms’ climate change-related regulatory risks affect banks’ lending. Exploiting the Paris Agreement in a difference-in-differences setting, we find that effects depend on how borrowers will be affected by regulation as well as the stringency of the existing regulatory environment where firms are located. Firms that benefit from regulation receive more credit only if located in more stringent regulatory environments. Conversely, firms hurt by regulation receive more credit if located in less stringent environments or if linked to banks with a portfolio tilted towards lending to negatively impacted firms.

Suggested Citation

  • Mueller, Isabella & Sfrappini, Eleonora, 2025. "Climate change-related regulatory risks and bank lending," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 158(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:inecon:v:158:y:2025:i:c:s0022199625001138
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jinteco.2025.104156
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    JEL classification:

    • G21 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Banks; Other Depository Institutions; Micro Finance Institutions; Mortgages
    • Q51 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Valuation of Environmental Effects
    • Q58 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Government Policy

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