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Does the Environmental Tax Reform Positively Impact Corporate Environmental Performance?

Author

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  • Manru Peng

    (Business School, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China
    Planning and Financial Department, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China)

  • Chendie Wei

    (Business School, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China)

  • Youliang Jin

    (Business School, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China)

  • Hangxin Ran

    (Business School, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China)

Abstract

The environmental tax reform implemented in 2018 is an important initiative of Chinese tax reform, which is deemed a valuable opportunity to encourage firms to improve their environmental performance. This study empirically investigates the impact of the environmental tax reform on corporate environmental performance based on data from Chinese A-share listed firms with heavy pollution from 2016 to 2020 by the differences-in-differences method. It is found that the environmental tax reform can effectively improve corporate environmental performance, and the environmental supervision of local governments is an important channel to realize this. Heterogeneity tests show that the environmental tax reform better impacts the corporate environmental performance of non-state-owned enterprises and firms in western areas. This paper enriches the application scenarios of institutional theory, provides micro evidence for the impact of implementing the Environmental Protection Tax, and provides a decision-making basis for strengthening the environmental supervision of local governments, which has practical guidance significance in forcing corporations to modernize their green technology and realize sustainable economic growth.

Suggested Citation

  • Manru Peng & Chendie Wei & Youliang Jin & Hangxin Ran, 2023. "Does the Environmental Tax Reform Positively Impact Corporate Environmental Performance?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-19, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:10:p:8023-:d:1147328
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Cheng Peng & Lu Zhao & Liwen Liu & Jia Chen, 2023. "The Influence of Environmental Protection Tax Law on Urban Land Green Use Efficiency in China: The Nonlinear Moderating Effect of Tax Rate Increase," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-18, August.
    2. Lingxiao Zhao & Yunpeng Tang & Yan Liu, 2023. "How Does Environmental Tax Influence the Scale and Efficiency of Green Investment among China’s Heavily Polluting Enterprises?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(20), pages 1-26, October.

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