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Liability Structure and Carbon Emissions Abatement: Evidence from Chinese Manufacturing Enterprises

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  • Yufeng Chen

    (Zhejiang Gongshang University
    Capital University of Economics and Business)

  • Zhitao Zhu

    (Zhejiang Gongshang University)

Abstract

As it is known that the linkage between financial performance and environmental performance of enterprises has not obtained conclusive results, and the role of liability and its structure have not been considered yet. In view of these gaps, this paper employed the data of Chinese manufacturing firms from 2008 to 2011, to examine the impact of liability structure on enterprises’ carbon emissions abatement. The results manifest that both the relative and absolute proportions of long-term liabilities have a significant negative effect on the level value and growth rate of enterprise carbon emissions in China. Heterogeneity analysis demonstrates that enterprises in high energy consumption group have higher total carbon emissions and growth rate compared with enterprises in low and middle energy consumption groups. For enterprises of different ownership, the level of private-owned enterprises is higher and the growth rate is lower. The findings imply that policy makers should not adopt a one-size-fits-all policies to reduce firm carbon emissions.

Suggested Citation

  • Yufeng Chen & Zhitao Zhu, 2022. "Liability Structure and Carbon Emissions Abatement: Evidence from Chinese Manufacturing Enterprises," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 83(2), pages 481-507, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:enreec:v:83:y:2022:i:2:d:10.1007_s10640-022-00649-2
    DOI: 10.1007/s10640-022-00649-2
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Liability structure; Long-term liability; Relative proportion; Absolute proportion; Carbon emissions abatement;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C23 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Models with Panel Data; Spatio-temporal Models
    • O13 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Agriculture; Natural Resources; Environment; Other Primary Products
    • P28 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Socialist and Transition Economies - - - Natural Resources; Environment
    • Q56 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environment and Development; Environment and Trade; Sustainability; Environmental Accounts and Accounting; Environmental Equity; Population Growth

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