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How Does Environmental Regulation Affect Corporate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Greenwashing? Evidence from China

Author

Listed:
  • Bitao Yin

    (School of Economics, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, China)

  • Zongting Li

    (School of Economics, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, China)

  • Zhiqiao Xiong

    (School of Economics and Management, Changsha University of Science and Technology, Changsha 410076, China)

  • Daqian Shi

    (School of Economics, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, China)

Abstract

This study investigated the impact of China’s new environmental protection law on the greenwashing of A-share listed companies. By employing the difference-in-differences (DID) method, this study reveals that the EPL exerts a significant inhibitory effect on corporate greenwashing behavior. To ensure the robustness of the results, several tests are conducted, including parallel trend tests, placebo tests, and propensity score matching DID (PSM-DID), all of which confirm the reliability of the findings. This paper explores the influence mechanism of the EPL through constructing the institutional deterrence mechanism, cost effect mechanism, and financing constraint mechanism. It is found that the EPL has a more significant inhibitory effect on economically developed regions, non-high-tech industries, and non-state-owned enterprises. Finally, specific policy recommendations are put forward from macro and micro perspectives.

Suggested Citation

  • Bitao Yin & Zongting Li & Zhiqiao Xiong & Daqian Shi, 2024. "How Does Environmental Regulation Affect Corporate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Greenwashing? Evidence from China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-17, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:23:p:10608-:d:1535983
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Roberto González Acolt & Luis Lenin Herrera Díaz de León & María del Rocío Esparza Durón, 2026. "Environmental practices in transportation equipment manufacturing establishments with FDI participation in Mexico," International Journal of Corporate Social Responsibility, Springer, vol. 11(1), pages 1-14, December.
    3. Gong, Qi & Kong, Zhaoyang & Li, Liang & Dong, Xiucheng & Li, Yang, 2026. "The consequences of hypocrisy: how ESG greenwashing undermines green total factor productivity," Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money, Elsevier, vol. 106(C).
    4. Chenyang Meng & Yu Peng & Jiaxin Zhang & Jinjin Chen, 2025. "How Fintech Impacts Enterprises’ Digital–Green Synergy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-19, June.

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