IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/rensus/v210y2025ics136403212400981x.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Clean energy innovation, corporate carbon footprint and profits: Win-win strategic options

Author

Listed:
  • Porles-Ochoa, Francisco
  • Guevara, Ruben

Abstract

The widespread use of fossil fuels in production processes, along with a heavy dependency on carbon-based materials in firms that emit substantial amounts of carbon dioxide equivalent, poses a global threat to both environmental and economic sustainability. A better understanding is needed regarding the relevance of clean energy innovation and its direct and indirect impact on lowering carbon footprints in the existing body of research. This study employed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses methodology for a systematic review, followed by an in-depth evaluation of findings. The review examined 153 scholarly articles published between 2018 and 2023, aiming to assess the evolutionary nuances of clean energy innovation in the context of global decarbonisation. Results indicate that 58.5 % of evaluated hypotheses demonstrate a positive association between corporate environmental and financial performance, whilst 31.4 % show a negative impact on profitability. The remaining 10.1 % yield mixed findings. Notably, there is a paucity of research on the potential moderating or mediating effects of clean energy innovation on this relationship. This study contributes to the scientific corpus by identifying two understudied research areas. Firstly, Scope 3 emissions have a substantial and positive effect on the major corporations' overall financial performance. Secondly, further research is warranted to determine how clean energy innovation can moderate or mediate the relationship between eco-innovation strategies and company performance. This research is vital for understanding clean energy innovation's potential as a pathway toward decarbonisation.

Suggested Citation

  • Porles-Ochoa, Francisco & Guevara, Ruben, 2025. "Clean energy innovation, corporate carbon footprint and profits: Win-win strategic options," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 210(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:210:y:2025:i:c:s136403212400981x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2024.115255
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S136403212400981X
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.rser.2024.115255?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Doblinger, Claudia & Surana, Kavita & Li, Deyu & Hultman, Nathan & Anadón, Laura Díaz, 2022. "How do global manufacturing shifts affect long-term clean energy innovation? A study of wind energy suppliers," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 51(7).
    2. Angeloantonio Russo & Stefano Pogutz & Nicola Misani, 2021. "Paving the road toward eco‐effectiveness: Exploring the link between greenhouse gas emissions and firm performance," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(7), pages 3065-3078, November.
    3. Jun Xie & Wataru Nozawa & Michiyuki Yagi & Hidemichi Fujii & Shunsuke Managi, 2019. "Do environmental, social, and governance activities improve corporate financial performance?," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(2), pages 286-300, February.
    4. Zhongwei, Huang & Liu, Yishu, 2022. "The role of eco-innovations, trade openness, and human capital in sustainable renewable energy consumption: Evidence using CS-ARDL approach," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 201(P1), pages 131-140.
    5. Yue‐Jun Zhang & Wei Shi & Lin Jiang, 2020. "Does China's carbon emissions trading policy improve the technology innovation of relevant enterprises?," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(3), pages 872-885, March.
    6. Krishna Raj Bhandari & Mikko Ranta & Jari Salo, 2022. "The resource‐based view, stakeholder capitalism, ESG, and sustainable competitive advantage: The firm's embeddedness into ecology, society, and governance," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(4), pages 1525-1537, May.
    7. Jay B. Barney, 2018. "Why resource‐based theory's model of profit appropriation must incorporate a stakeholder perspective," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 39(13), pages 3305-3325, December.
    8. Ali Meftah Gerged & Eshani Beddewela & Christopher J. Cowton, 2021. "Is corporate environmental disclosure associated with firm value? A multicountry study of Gulf Cooperation Council firms," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(1), pages 185-203, January.
    9. Su‐Yol Lee, 2012. "Corporate Carbon Strategies in Responding to Climate Change," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 21(1), pages 33-48, January.
    10. Jacquelyn Pless & Cameron Hepburn & Niall Farrell, 2020. "Bringing rigour to energy innovation policy evaluation," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 5(4), pages 284-290, April.
    11. Michiyuki Yagi & Shunsuke Managi, 2018. "Decomposition analysis of corporate carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas emissions in Japan: Integrating corporate environmental and financial performances," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 27(8), pages 1476-1492, December.
    12. Dogan, Eyup & Hodžić, Sabina & Šikić, Tanja Fatur, 2023. "Do energy and environmental taxes stimulate or inhibit renewable energy deployment in the European Union?," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 202(C), pages 1138-1145.
    13. Nguyen, Quyen & Diaz-Rainey, Ivan & Kuruppuarachchi, Duminda, 2021. "Predicting corporate carbon footprints for climate finance risk analyses: A machine learning approach," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 95(C).
    14. Yenny Naranjo Tuesta & Cristina Crespo Soler & Vicente Ripoll Feliu, 2021. "Carbon management accounting and financial performance: Evidence from the European Union emission trading system," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(2), pages 1270-1282, February.
    15. Ayça Kubra Hizarci‐Payne & İlayda İpek & Gülüzar Kurt Gümüş, 2021. "How environmental innovation influences firm performance: A meta‐analytic review," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(2), pages 1174-1190, February.
    16. Hidemichi Fujii & Kazuyuki Iwata & Shinji Kaneko & Shunsuke Managi, 2013. "Corporate Environmental and Economic Performance of Japanese Manufacturing Firms: Empirical Study for Sustainable Development," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 22(3), pages 187-201, March.
    17. David Moher & Alessandro Liberati & Jennifer Tetzlaff & Douglas G Altman & The PRISMA Group, 2009. "Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: The PRISMA Statement," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 6(7), pages 1-6, July.
    18. Lai, Ching-Ming & Teh, Jiashen, 2022. "Network topology optimisation based on dynamic thermal rating and battery storage systems for improved wind penetration and reliability," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 305(C).
    19. Lim, Taekyoung & Tang, Tian & Bowen, William M., 2021. "The Impact of Intergovernmental Grants on Innovation in Clean Energy and Energy Conservation: Evidence from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 148(PA).
    20. Upham, Dr Paul & Sovacool, Prof Benjamin & Ghosh, Dr Bipashyee, 2022. "Just transitions for industrial decarbonisation: A framework for innovation, participation, and justice," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 167(C).
    21. Horbach, Jens & Rammer, Christian, 2018. "Energy transition in Germany and regional spill-overs: The diffusion of renewable energy in firms," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 121(C), pages 404-414.
    22. Margarita Robaina & Mara Madaleno, 2020. "The relationship between emissions reduction and financial performance: Are Portuguese companies in a sustainable development path?," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 27(3), pages 1213-1226, May.
    23. John Downie & Wendy Stubbs, 2012. "Corporate Carbon Strategies and Greenhouse Gas Emission Assessments: The Implications of Scope 3 Emission Factor Selection," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 21(6), pages 412-422, September.
    24. Bai, Caiquan & Feng, Chen & Du, Kerui & Wang, Yuansheng & Gong, Yuan, 2020. "Understanding spatial-temporal evolution of renewable energy technology innovation in China: Evidence from convergence analysis," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 143(C).
    25. Thi Hong Van Hoang & Justyna Przychodzen & Wojciech Przychodzen & Elysé Segbotangni, 2020. "Does it pay to be green? A disaggregated analysis of US firms with green patents," Post-Print hal-02518497, HAL.
    26. Tiberio Daddi & Niccolò Maria Todaro & Maria Rosa De Giacomo & Marco Frey, 2018. "A Systematic Review of the Use of Organization and Management Theories in Climate Change Studies," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 27(4), pages 456-474, May.
    27. Simon Cadez & Albert Czerny & Peter Letmathe, 2019. "Stakeholder pressures and corporate climate change mitigation strategies," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(1), pages 1-14, January.
    28. Cheng, Yuanyuan & Yao, Xin, 2021. "Carbon intensity reduction assessment of renewable energy technology innovation in China: A panel data model with cross-section dependence and slope heterogeneity," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 135(C).
    29. Kelly Sims Gallagher & Laura Diaz Anadon & Ruud Kempener & Charlie Wilson, 2011. "Trends in investments in global energy research, development, and demonstration," Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate Change, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 2(3), pages 373-396, May.
    30. Faizul Haque & Collins G. Ntim, 2022. "Do corporate sustainability initiatives improve corporate carbon performance? Evidence from European firms," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(7), pages 3318-3334, November.
    31. Griffiths, Steve & Sovacool, Benjamin K. & Furszyfer Del Rio, Dylan D. & Foley, Aoife M. & Bazilian, Morgan D. & Kim, Jinsoo & Uratani, Joao M., 2023. "Decarbonizing the cement and concrete industry: A systematic review of socio-technical systems, technological innovations, and policy options," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 180(C).
    32. Frederik Dahlmann & Layla Branicki & Stephen Brammer, 2019. "Managing Carbon Aspirations: The Influence of Corporate Climate Change Targets on Environmental Performance," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 158(1), pages 1-24, August.
    33. Christoph Trumpp & Thomas Guenther, 2017. "Too Little or too much? Exploring U‐shaped Relationships between Corporate Environmental Performance and Corporate Financial Performance," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 26(1), pages 49-68, January.
    34. Faruk Bhuiyan & Tarek Rana & Kevin Baird & Rahat Munir, 2023. "Strategic outcome of competitive advantage from corporate sustainability practices: Institutional theory perspective from an emerging economy," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(7), pages 4217-4243, November.
    35. Linda Kusumaning Wedari & Amir Moradi‐Motlagh & Christine Jubb, 2023. "The moderating effect of innovation on the relationship between environmental and financial performance: Evidence from high emitters in Australia," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(1), pages 654-672, January.
    36. Timo Busch & Stefan Lewandowski, 2018. "Corporate Carbon and Financial Performance: A Meta‐analysis," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 22(4), pages 745-759, August.
    37. Thomas A. Tsalis & Ioannis E. Nikolaou, 2017. "Assessing the Effects of Climate Change Regulations on the Business Community: A System Dynamic Approach," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 26(6), pages 826-843, September.
    38. Taryn De Mendonca & Yan Zhou, 2020. "When companies improve the sustainability of the natural environment: A study of large U.S. companies," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(3), pages 801-811, March.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Francisco Porles-Ochoa & Ruben Guevara, 2023. "Moderation of Clean Energy Innovation in the Relationship between the Carbon Footprint and Profits in CO₂e-Intensive Firms: A Quantitative Longitudinal Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-19, June.
    2. Shoaib Aslam & Mohamed H. Elmagrhi & Ramiz Ur Rehman & Collins G. Ntim, 2021. "Environmental management practices and financial performance using data envelopment analysis in Japan: The mediating role of environmental performance," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(4), pages 1655-1673, May.
    3. Flori, Andrea & Borghesi, Simone & Marin, Giovanni, 2024. "The environmental-financial performance nexus of EU ETS firms: A quantile regression approach," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 131(C).
    4. David Coen & Kyle Herman & Tom Pegram, 2022. "Are corporate climate efforts genuine? An empirical analysis of the climate ‘talk–walk’ hypothesis," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(7), pages 3040-3059, November.
    5. Oksana Seroka-Stolka, 2023. "Enhancing Environmental Sustainability: Stakeholder Pressure and Corporate CO 2 -Related Performance—An Examination of the Mediating and Moderating Effects of Corporate Decarbonization Strategies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-18, September.
    6. Kun‐Shan Wu & Bao‐Guang Chang, 2022. "The concave–convex effects of environmental, social and governance on high‐tech firm value: Quantile regression approach," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 29(5), pages 1527-1545, September.
    7. Wanke, Peter Fernandes & Chiappetta Jabbour, Charbel José & Moreira Antunes, Jorge Junio & Lopes de Sousa Jabbour, Ana Beatriz & Roubaud, David & Sobreiro, Vinicius Amorim & Santibanez Gonzalez‬, Erne, 2021. "An original information entropy-based quantitative evaluation model for low-carbon operations in an emerging market," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 234(C).
    8. Ajay Kumar & Jyotirani Gupta & Niladri Das, 2022. "Revisiting the influence of corporate sustainability practices on corporate financial performance: An evidence from the global energy sector," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(7), pages 3231-3253, November.
    9. Siddique, Md Abubakar & Akhtaruzzaman, Md & Rashid, Afzalur & Hammami, Helmi, 2021. "Carbon disclosure, carbon performance and financial performance: International evidence," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 75(C).
    10. Włodarczyk, Aneta & Szczepańska-Woszczyna, Katarzyna & Urbański, Mariusz, 2024. "Carbon and financial performance nexus of the heavily polluting companies in the context of resource management during COVID-19 period," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 89(C).
    11. Abreu, Mônica Cavalcanti Sá de & Webb, Kernaghan & Araújo, Francisco Sávio Maurício & Cavalcante, Jaime Phasquinel Lopes, 2021. "From “business as usual” to tackling climate change: Exploring factors affecting low-carbon decision-making in the canadian oil and gas sector," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 148(PA).
    12. Thayla Zomer & Paulo Savaget, 2023. "Disentangling Decarbonisation Ambidexterity: An Analysis of European Companies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-17, July.
    13. Linh-TX Nguyen, 2023. "The relationship between environmental performance and financial performance: evidence from an emerging East Asian economy," International Journal of Disclosure and Governance, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 20(1), pages 1-14, March.
    14. Hisky Ryan Kawulur & Erwin Saraswati & Abdul Ghofar & Arum Prastiwi, 2024. "Carbon Strategy, Political Connection and Carbon Performance: Evidence from Polluting Industries," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 14(4), pages 251-264, July.
    15. Jörn H. Block & Pramodita Sharma & Lena Benz, 2024. "Stakeholder Pressures and Decarbonization Strategies in Mittelstand Firms," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 193(3), pages 511-533, September.
    16. Seonghoon Kim & Ann Terlaak & Matthew Potoski, 2021. "Corporate sustainability and financial performance: Collective reputation as moderator of the relationship between environmental performance and firm market value," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(4), pages 1689-1701, May.
    17. Matthew P. Johnson & Theresa S. Rötzel & Brigitte Frank, 2023. "Beyond conventional corporate responses to climate change towards deep decarbonization: a systematic literature review," Management Review Quarterly, Springer, vol. 73(2), pages 921-954, June.
    18. Provaty, Sagira Sultana & Hasan, Mostafa Monzur & Luo, Le, 2024. "Organization capital and GHG emissions," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 131(C).
    19. Gianni Guastella & Matteo Mazzarano & Stefano Pareglio & Riccardo Christopher Spani, 2022. "Do environmental and emission disclosure affect firms’ performance?," Eurasian Business Review, Springer;Eurasia Business and Economics Society, vol. 12(4), pages 695-718, December.
    20. Suchismita Ghosh & Ritu Pareek & Tarak Nath Sahu, 2024. "Do Carbon Performance and Disclosure Practices Effect Companies’ Financial Performance: A Non-Linear Perspective," Asia-Pacific Financial Markets, Springer;Japanese Association of Financial Economics and Engineering, vol. 31(3), pages 733-754, September.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:210:y:2025:i:c:s136403212400981x. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/600126/description#description .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.