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Sustainable Development and European Banks: A Non-Financial Disclosure Analysis

Author

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  • Simona Cosma

    (Department of Economic Sciences, University of Salento, Via per Monteroni, n.7, 73100 Lecce, Italy)

  • Andrea Venturelli

    (Department of Economic Sciences, University of Salento, Via per Monteroni, n.7, 73100 Lecce, Italy)

  • Paola Schwizer

    (Department of Economics, University of Parma, 43121 Parma, Italy)

  • Vittorio Boscia

    (Department of Economic Sciences, University of Salento, Via per Monteroni, n.7, 73100 Lecce, Italy)

Abstract

This paper aims at contributing to the debate on the relationships between the European financial sector and sustainable development. Using a non-financial disclosure analysis of 262 European banks, the research sought, first, to investigate the “scope” of the contribution of European banks to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and, second, to explore the factors that seem to differentiate the SDGs approach among banks. The results show that country of origin, legal system, and adoption of an integrated report seem to differentiate banks in terms of contribution to the SDGs. The business model and stock exchange listing, conversely, do not seem to represent discriminatory factor in the contribution of banks toward the SDGs. The study can be useful for managers and decision makers to develop policies to support organizations in contributing to the SDGs.

Suggested Citation

  • Simona Cosma & Andrea Venturelli & Paola Schwizer & Vittorio Boscia, 2020. "Sustainable Development and European Banks: A Non-Financial Disclosure Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(15), pages 1-19, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:15:p:6146-:d:392326
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    3. Fabio Caputo & Rossella Leopizzi, 2021. "Achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) among Walking and Talking," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-4, February.
    4. Fiordelisi, Franco & Ricci, Ornella & Santilli, Gianluca, 2023. "Environmental engagement and stock price crash risk: Evidence from the European banking industry," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).
    5. Giedrė Lapinskienė & Irena Danilevičienė, 2023. "Assessment of Green Banking Performance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(20), pages 1-16, October.
    6. Marco Benvenuto & Roxana Loredana Avram & Alexandru Avram & Carmine Viola, 2021. "Assessing the Impact of Corporate Governance Index on Financial Performance in the Romanian and Italian Banking Systems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-16, May.
    7. Elena Nechita & Cristina Lidia Manea & Elena-Mirela Nichita & Alina-Mihaela Irimescu & Diana Manea, 2020. "Is Financial Information Influencing the Reporting on SDGs? Empirical Evidence from Central and Eastern European Chemical Companies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-34, November.
    8. Eva Cerioni & Alessia D’Andrea & Marco Giuliani & Stefano Marasca, 2021. "Non-Financial Disclosure and Intra-Industry Comparability: A Macro, Meso and Micro Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-23, January.
    9. Clara Gallego-Sosa & Milagros Gutiérrez-Fernández & Yakira Fernández-Torres & María Teresa Nevado-Gil, 2021. "Corporate Social Responsibility in the European Banking Sector: Commitment to the 2030 Agenda and Its Relationship with Gender Diversity," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-23, February.
    10. Sabrina Spallini & Virginia Milone & Antonio Nisio & Patrizia Romanazzi, 2021. "The Dimension of Sustainability: A Comparative Analysis of Broadness of Information in Italian Companies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-22, January.
    11. Nicolás Gambetta & Fernando Azcárate-Llanes & Laura Sierra-García & María Antonia García-Benau, 2021. "Financial Institutions’ Risk Profile and Contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-15, July.
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