IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/riibaf/v75y2025ics0275531925000340.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Promoting corporate social responsibility through green finance legislation

Author

Listed:
  • Zhao, Meng
  • Feng, Yuan
  • Niu, Shuai

Abstract

Green finance offers a pivotal mechanism to support Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) by aligning financial systems with environmental sustainability goals. This study investigates the role of green finance in promoting CSR among high-polluting companies in China by utilizing a quasi-natural experiment. Our findings reveal green finance significantly improves CSR performance. Firms with higher financial vulnerability are more likely to undertake CSR activities to secure green financing; firms under more intensive media pressure receive higher benefits from green financing on CSR through enhanced accountability and disclosure. These findings suggest that policymakers tighten financing regulations and strengthen media oversight to encourage transparency and socially responsible business practices.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhao, Meng & Feng, Yuan & Niu, Shuai, 2025. "Promoting corporate social responsibility through green finance legislation," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 75(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:riibaf:v:75:y:2025:i:c:s0275531925000340
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ribaf.2025.102778
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0275531925000340
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.ribaf.2025.102778?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

    for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Qingxian Jia, 2023. "The impact of green finance on the level of decarbonization of the economies: An analysis of the United States', China's, and Russia's current agenda," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(1), pages 110-119, January.
    2. Zhao, Shikuan & Cao, Yuequn & Hunjra, Ahmed Imran & Tan, Yan, 2023. "How does environmentally induced R&D affect carbon productivity? A government support perspective," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 88(C), pages 942-961.
    3. Shi, Jinyan & Yu, Conghui & Li, Yanxi & Wang, Tianhe, 2022. "Does green financial policy affect debt-financing cost of heavy-polluting enterprises? An empirical evidence based on Chinese pilot zones for green finance reform and innovations," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 179(C).
    4. Sun, Yunpeng & Guan, Weimin & Cao, Yuning & Bao, Qun, 2022. "Role of green finance policy in renewable energy deployment for carbon neutrality: Evidence from China," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 197(C), pages 643-653.
    5. Sana Noor & Abubakr Saeed & Muhammad Saad Baloch & Muhammad Awais, 2020. "CSR permanency, family ownership, and firm value: Evidence from emerging economies," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 27(5), pages 2135-2149, September.
    6. Jin, Yi & Gao, Xiaoyan & Wang, Min, 2021. "The financing efficiency of listed energy conservation and environmental protection firms: Evidence and implications for green finance in China," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 153(C).
    7. Mui-Yin Chin & Sheue-Li Ong & Daniel Boon-Yann Ooi & Chin-Hong Puah, 2024. "The impact of green finance on environmental degradation in BRI region," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 26(1), pages 303-318, January.
    8. Xu, Xiaoying & Jin, Mei & Gong, Xinshu, 2024. "Local environmental goal constraint intensity and corporate ESG performance: An empirical observation based on China," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 62(PB).
    9. Mingbo Zheng & Qiang Du & Quan-Jing Wang, 2023. "Nexus between Green Finance and Renewable Energy Development in China," Emerging Markets Finance and Trade, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 59(4), pages 1205-1218, March.
    10. Marco Raberto & Bulent Ozel & Linda Ponta & Andrea Teglio & Silvano Cincotti, 2019. "From financial instability to green finance: the role of banking and credit market regulation in the Eurace model," Journal of Evolutionary Economics, Springer, vol. 29(1), pages 429-465, March.
    11. Hunjra, Ahmed Imran & Hassan, M. Kabir & Zaied, Younes Ben & Managi, Shunsuke, 2023. "Nexus between green finance, environmental degradation, and sustainable development: Evidence from developing countries," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    12. Jianhua Ye & Ahmad Al-Fadly & Pham Quang Huy & Thanh Quang Ngo & Doan Dang Phi Hung & Nguyen Hoang Tien, 2022. "The nexus among green financial development and renewable energy: investment in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic," Economic Research-Ekonomska Istraživanja, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 35(1), pages 5650-5675, December.
    13. Hammad Riaz & Abubakr Saeed & Muhammad Saad Baloch & Nasrullah & Zeeshan Ahmad Khan, 2019. "Valuation of Environmental Management Standard ISO 14001: Evidence from an Emerging Market," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-14, January.
    14. Yadav, Sanjeev & Samadhiya, Ashutosh & Kumar, Anil & Luthra, Sunil & Pandey, Krishan Kumar, 2024. "Nexus between fintech, green finance and natural resources management: Transition of BRICS nation industries from resource curse to resource blessed sustainable economies," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
    15. Muhammad Saad Baloch & Abubakr Saeed & Ishtiaq Ahmed & Judit Oláh & József Popp & Domicián Máté, 2018. "Role of Domestic Financial Reforms and Internationalization of Non-Financial Transnational Firms: Evidence from the Chinese Market," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-16, October.
    16. Hunjra, Ahmed Imran & Kijkasiwat, Ploypailin & Arunachalam, Murugesh & Hammami, Helmi, 2021. "Covid-19 health policy intervention and volatility of Asian capital markets," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 169(C).
    17. Hunjra, Ahmed Imran & Jebabli, Ikram & Thrikawala, Sujani Sudhara & Alawi, Suha Mahmoud & Mehmood, Rashid, 2024. "How do corporate governance and corporate social responsibility affect credit risk?," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 67(PA).
    18. Aslam, Faheem & Memon, Bilal Ahmed & Hunjra, Ahmed Imran & Bouri, Elie, 2023. "The dynamics of market efficiency of major cryptocurrencies," Global Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 58(C).
    19. Zhang, Cong & Mehmood, Rashid & Palma, Alessia & Wang, Zhen, 2024. "The impact of culture and religion on financing decisions: Moderating role of CSR," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 70(PB).
    20. Di Chen & Haiqing Hu & Chun‐Ping Chang, 2023. "Green finance, environment regulation, and industrial green transformation for corporate social responsibility," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 30(5), pages 2166-2181, September.
    21. Oscar Licandro & José Luis Vázquez-Burguete & Luis Ortigueira & Patricia Correa, 2023. "Definition of Corporate Social Responsibility as a Management Philosophy Oriented towards the Management of Externalities: Proposal and Argumentation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-18, July.
    22. Li, Rongnan & Liu, Zhuang & Li, Shun & Geng, Jiao & Shi, Guanqun & Gu, Xiao, 2023. "Geopolitical risk, green finance and natural resources: A novel analysis of China's national level data," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 86(PB).
    23. Hunjra, Ahmed Imran & Islam, Faridul & Verhoeven, Peter & Hassan, M. Kabir, 2022. "The impact of a dual banking system on macroeconomic efficiency," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 61(C).
    24. Hunjra, Ahmed Imran & Zhao, Shikuan & Goodell, John W. & Liu, Xiaoqian, 2024. "Digital economy policy and corporate low-carbon innovation: Evidence from a quasi-natural experiment in China," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 60(C).
    25. Wan, Qilong & Qian, Jine & Baghirli, Araz & Aghayev, Aligul, 2022. "Green finance and carbon reduction: Implications for green recovery," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 901-913.
    26. Xiaofei Dai & Abu Bakkar Siddik & Huawei Tian, 2022. "Corporate Social Responsibility, Green Finance and Environmental Performance: Does Green Innovation Matter?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-17, October.
    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. Sun, Xialing & Meng, Zheng & Zhang, Xuchao & Wu, Jiaxi, 2025. "The role of institutional quality in the nexus between green financing and sustainable development," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 73(PA).
    2. Liu, Guohua & Zhao, Lihua & Wang, Xiaoyan & liao, Meihui, 2024. "Impact of social welfare finance on institutional financial performance: Cross-country evidence," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 70(PB).
    3. Sun, Weikang & Wei, Zhiqi & Zou, Shixiang, 2024. "Exploring the impact of religious diversity on market performance and financial growth in developed economies," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 71(C).
    4. Ye, Xiaoyu & Tian, Xiangyu, 2025. "Green finance and ESG performance: A quasi-natural experiment on the influence of green financing pilot zones," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 73(PB).
    5. Hou, Bo & Huang, Wenhui & Wang, Xiji & Wang, Jizhou, 2025. "Green investments and their effect on ESG ratings: An empirical analysis of Chinese publicly traded companies," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    6. Qadri, Hussain Mohi ud Din & Ali, Hassnian & Abideen, Zain ul & Jafar, Ahmad, 2024. "Mapping the Evolution of Green Finance Research and Development in Emerging Green Economies," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
    7. Chen, Di & Hu, Haiqing & Wang, Ning & Chang, Chun-Ping, 2024. "The impact of green finance on transformation to green energy: Evidence from industrial enterprises in China," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 204(C).
    8. Cui, Xiaona & Mohd Said, Ridzwana & Abdul Rahim, Norhuda & Ni, Mengjiao, 2024. "Can green finance Lead to green investment? Evidence from heavily polluting industries," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 95(PB).
    9. Omri, Henda & Jarraya, Bilel & Kahia, Montassar, 2025. "Green finance for achieving environmental sustainability in G7 countries: Effects and transmission channels," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    10. Huang, Xiaobing & Xie, Jiawei, 2024. "Impact of green credit policies on the global value chain position of heavy polluting enterprises," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 192(C).
    11. Zhang, Hongsheng & Xiong, Peizhi & Yang, Shangzhao & Yu, Jinna, 2023. "Renewable energy utilization, green finance and agricultural land expansion in China," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 80(C).
    12. Su, Zhifang & Guo, Qianqian & Lee, Hsiang-Tai, 2022. "Green finance policy and enterprise energy consumption intensity: Evidence from a quasi-natural experiment in China," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 115(C).
    13. Huang, Siqi & Cheng, Manli & Shu, Zhenzhu, 2024. "Role of social capital and financial inclusion in sustainable economic growth," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 72(PA).
    14. He, Junming & Iqbal, Wasim & Su, Fangli, 2023. "Nexus between renewable energy investment, green finance, and sustainable development: Role of industrial structure and technical innovations," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 210(C), pages 715-724.
    15. Biswanath Behera & Puspanjali Behera & Narayan Sethi, 2024. "Decoupling the role of renewable energy, green finance and political stability in achieving the sustainable development goal 13: Empirical insight from emerging economies," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 32(1), pages 119-137, February.
    16. Xue, Yan & Hu, Dongmei & Irfan, Muhammad & Wu, Haitao & Hao, Yu, 2023. "Natural resources policy making through finance? The role of green finance on energy resources poverty," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 85(PA).
    17. Xiuli Sun & Cui Zhou & Zhuojiong Gan, 2023. "Green Finance Policy and ESG Performance: Evidence from Chinese Manufacturing Firms," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-27, April.
    18. Pang, Lidong & Zhu, Meng Nan & Yu, Haiyan, 2022. "Is green finance really a blessing for green technology and carbon efficiency?," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 114(C).
    19. Li, Songran & Shao, Qinglong, 2022. "Greening the finance for climate mitigation: An ARDL–ECM approach," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 199(C), pages 1469-1481.
    20. Wenqing Zhang & Jingrong Dong, 2023. "The Polarization Effect and Mechanism of China’s Green Finance Policy on Green Technology Innovation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-26, June.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    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:riibaf:v:75:y:2025:i:c:s0275531925000340. 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/locate/ribaf .

    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.