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Firm-Value Effects of Carbon Emissions and Carbon Disclosures—Evidence from Korea

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  • Jeong-Hwan Lee

    (College of Economics and Finance, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea)

  • Jin-Hyung Cho

    (College of Economics and Finance, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea)

Abstract

We examine the association between carbon emissions, carbon disclosures, and firm value for Korean firms, with a particular interest in chaebols , a special type of Korean conglomerate. Using hand-collected carbon emissions and firm-specific data for 841 Korean firms, including 514 chaebols and 335 non- chaebols , we find a significantly positive relationship between carbon emissions and firm value among chaebol affiliates. This result contrasts with previous findings conducted in advanced markets, where investors consider carbon emissions to be destructive. In terms of the voluntary disclosure policy, we find that companies with good environmental performance tend to disclose carbon emissions voluntarily. We further argue that these findings originate from the specific business atmosphere in Korea. Our results support the traditional view of corporations in terms of environmental policy and highlight the importance of firm characteristics and historical developments in the analysis of environmental policy.

Suggested Citation

  • Jeong-Hwan Lee & Jin-Hyung Cho, 2021. "Firm-Value Effects of Carbon Emissions and Carbon Disclosures—Evidence from Korea," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-16, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:22:p:12166-:d:683241
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Rahman Aulia Fuad & Agusti Rosalita Rachma & Kurniawati Desi Tri, 2024. "Mediating Role of Sustainability Reporting Quality on the Relationship Between Green Banking and Firm Value," Studia Universitatis „Vasile Goldis” Arad – Economics Series, Sciendo, vol. 34(4), pages 105-129.
    3. Eunsoo Kim, 2022. "The Effect of Female Personnel on the Voluntary Disclosure of Carbon Emissions Information," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-15, October.
    4. Lee, Gunhee & Bae, Mincheol & Sohn, Joongchan & Han, Chanwoo & Cho, Jinhyung, 2024. "Does voluntary environmental information disclosure prevent stock price crash risk? – Comparative analysis of chaebol and non-chaebol in Korea," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 131(C).
    5. Heekyun Oh, 2024. "The Moderating Role of ESG Administration on the Relationship between Tourism Activities and Carbon Emissions: A Case Study of Basic Local Governments in South Korea," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(12), pages 1-26, June.
    6. Runyu Liu & Mara Ridhuan Che Abdul Rahman & Ainul Huda Jamil, 2025. "Leveraging Environmental Regulation: How Green Innovation Moderates the Relationship Between Carbon Information Disclosure and Firm Value," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(6), pages 1-35, March.

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    Keywords

    carbon emission; ESG; CSR; chaebol;
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