IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/sae/emffin/v24y2025i3p306-330.html

Firm-level Climate Change Exposure and Corporate Cash Holdings: Evidence from Asian Countries

Author

Listed:
  • Huong Le
  • Oanh Thi Kim Nguyen
  • Thuy Anh Thi Tran
  • Bao Trung Phan
  • Nguyen Trong Tran

Abstract

This study investigates the correlation between climate change exposure and corporate cash holdings. Using climate change data exposed at the firm level of 804 unique firms between 2002 and 2022 in six Asian countries (Japan, Korea, China, Singapore, India, and Hong Kong), this study provides empirical evidence that firms reserve more cash in response to their exposure to climate change. Additionally, we discover that firms with greater financial restrictions have a stronger positive link between cash hoarding and climate change risk. The evidence offered holds up well against different climate change dimensions and the sample before the COVID-19 pandemic. JEL Code: G32

Suggested Citation

  • Huong Le & Oanh Thi Kim Nguyen & Thuy Anh Thi Tran & Bao Trung Phan & Nguyen Trong Tran, 2025. "Firm-level Climate Change Exposure and Corporate Cash Holdings: Evidence from Asian Countries," Journal of Emerging Market Finance, Institute for Financial Management and Research, vol. 24(3), pages 306-330, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:emffin:v:24:y:2025:i:3:p:306-330
    DOI: 10.1177/09726527241312977
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/09726527241312977
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1177/09726527241312977?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Chang, Chiu-Lan & Zhang, Jiahui & Lin, Yu-En, 2024. "Climate policy uncertainty, corporate social responsibility and corporate investments of the energy firms," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 140(C).
    2. Zacharias Sautner & Laurence Van Lent & Grigory Vilkov & Ruishen Zhang, 2023. "Firm‐Level Climate Change Exposure," Journal of Finance, American Finance Association, vol. 78(3), pages 1449-1498, June.
    3. Robert F Engle & Stefano Giglio & Bryan Kelly & Heebum Lee & Johannes Stroebel, 2020. "Hedging Climate Change News," The Review of Financial Studies, Society for Financial Studies, vol. 33(3), pages 1184-1216.
    4. Marshall Burke & Solomon M. Hsiang & Edward Miguel, 2015. "Global non-linear effect of temperature on economic production," Nature, Nature, vol. 527(7577), pages 235-239, November.
    5. Leigh A. Riddick & Toni M. Whited, 2009. "The Corporate Propensity to Save," Journal of Finance, American Finance Association, vol. 64(4), pages 1729-1766, August.
    6. Ricardo J. Caballero & Emmanuel Farhi & Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas, 2008. "An Equilibrium Model of "Global Imbalances" and Low Interest Rates," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 98(1), pages 358-393, March.
    7. Ma, Rufei & Fu, Xinxin & Ji, Qiang & Zhai, Pengxiang, 2024. "Do climate-exposed firms hold more cash? Global evidence," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 237(C).
    8. Fard, Amirhossein & Javadi, Siamak & Kim, Incheol, 2020. "Environmental regulation and the cost of bank loans: International evidence," Journal of Financial Stability, Elsevier, vol. 51(C).
    9. Jayatilleke S. Bandara & Yiyong Cai, 2014. "The impact of climate change on food crop productivity, food prices and food security in South Asia," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 44(4), pages 451-465.
    10. Acharya, Viral V. & Almeida, Heitor & Campello, Murillo, 2007. "Is cash negative debt? A hedging perspective on corporate financial policies," Journal of Financial Intermediation, Elsevier, vol. 16(4), pages 515-554, October.
    11. Flammer, Caroline, 2021. "Corporate green bonds," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 142(2), pages 499-516.
    12. Derek Lemoine, 2021. "The Climate Risk Premium: How Uncertainty Affects the Social Cost of Carbon," Journal of the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, University of Chicago Press, vol. 8(1), pages 27-57.
    13. Vestrelli, Roberto & Fronzetti Colladon, Andrea & Pisello, Anna Laura, 2024. "When attention to climate change matters: The impact of climate risk disclosure on firm market value," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 185(C).
    14. Javadi, Siamak & Masum, Abdullah-Al, 2021. "The impact of climate change on the cost of bank loans," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 69(C).
    15. Jiandong Ju & Shang-Jin Wei, 2010. "Domestic Institutions and the Bypass Effect of Financial Globalization," American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, American Economic Association, vol. 2(4), pages 173-204, November.
    16. Michael Barnett & William Brock & Lars Peter Hansen & Harrison Hong, 2020. "Pricing Uncertainty Induced by Climate Change," The Review of Financial Studies, Society for Financial Studies, vol. 33(3), pages 1024-1066.
    17. Li, Weiping & Chen, Xiaoqi & Huang, Jiashun & Gong, Xu & Wu, Wei, 2022. "Do environmental regulations affect firm's cash holdings? Evidence from a quasi-natural experiment," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 112(C).
    18. Svetlana Orlova & Ramesh Rao & Tony Kang, 2017. "National Culture and the Valuation of Cash Holdings," Journal of Business Finance & Accounting, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 44(1-2), pages 236-270, January.
    19. Gu, Grace Weishi & Hale, Galina, 2023. "Climate risks and FDI," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 146(C).
    20. Zhao, Le & Parhizgari, A.M., 2024. "Climate change, technological innovation, and firm performance," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 93(PB), pages 189-203.
    21. Shardul Agrawala & Maëlis Carraro & Nicholas Kingsmill & Elisa Lanzi & Michael Mullan & Guillaume Prudent-Richard, 2011. "Private Sector Engagement in Adaptation to Climate Change: Approaches to Managing Climate Risks," OECD Environment Working Papers 39, OECD Publishing.
    22. Opler, Tim & Pinkowitz, Lee & Stulz, Rene & Williamson, Rohan, 1999. "The determinants and implications of corporate cash holdings," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 52(1), pages 3-46, April.
    23. Dessaint, Olivier & Matray, Adrien, 2017. "Do managers overreact to salient risks? Evidence from hurricane strikes," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 126(1), pages 97-121.
    24. Stefano Giglio & Matteo Maggiori & Krishna Rao & Johannes Stroebel & Andreas Weber & Stijn Van Nieuwerburgh, 2021. "Climate Change and Long-Run Discount Rates: Evidence from Real Estate [Abrupt climate change]," The Review of Financial Studies, Society for Financial Studies, vol. 34(8), pages 3527-3571.
    25. Chang, Kiyoung & Noorbakhsh, Abbas, 2009. "Does national culture affect international corporate cash holdings?," Journal of Multinational Financial Management, Elsevier, vol. 19(5), pages 323-342, December.
    26. Michael W Faulkender & Kristine W Hankins & Mitchell A Petersen, 2019. "Understanding the Rise in Corporate Cash: Precautionary Savings or Foreign Taxes," The Review of Financial Studies, Society for Financial Studies, vol. 32(9), pages 3299-3334.
    27. Kling, Gerhard & Volz, Ulrich & Murinde, Victor & Ayas, Sibel, 2021. "The impact of climate vulnerability on firms’ cost of capital and access to finance," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 137(C).
    28. A. Hossain & A.-A. Masum & S. Saadi & R. Benkraiem & N. Das, 2023. "Firm-Level Climate Change Risk and CEO Equity Incentives," Post-Print hal-04434397, HAL.
    29. Zhang, Xingmin & Zhang, Shuai & Lu, Liping, 2022. "The banking instability and climate change: Evidence from China," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 106(C).
    30. Saibal Ghosh, 2024. "Do bankers on board fulfill their role? Corporate social responsibility, environmental concerns and firm leverage," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 31(4), pages 3297-3311, July.
    31. Martina K. Linnenluecke & Andrew Griffiths & Monika Winn, 2012. "Extreme Weather Events and the Critical Importance of Anticipatory Adaptation and Organizational Resilience in Responding to Impacts," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 21(1), pages 17-32, January.
    32. Hui-Tzu Lee & Lieh-Ming Luo & Chia-Chou Chiu, 2024. "Managerial Compensation, R&D Investment, and Operating Efficiency in Taiwanese Listed Companies: The Moderating Effects of Firm Size and Corporate Risk," Journal of Emerging Market Finance, Institute for Financial Management and Research, vol. 23(3), pages 336-359, September.
    33. Trinh, Vu Quang & Trinh, Hai Hong & Li, Teng & Vo, Xuan Vinh, 2024. "Climate change exposure, financial development, and the cost of debt: Evidence from EU countries," Journal of Financial Stability, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    34. Sudheer Chava, 2014. "Environmental Externalities and Cost of Capital," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 60(9), pages 2223-2247, September.
    35. Bui, Binh & de Villiers, Charl, 2017. "Business strategies and management accounting in response to climate change risk exposure and regulatory uncertainty," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 49(1), pages 4-24.
    36. Herminia A. Francisco, 2008. "Adaptation to Climate Change Needs and Opportunities in Southeast Asia," EEPSEA Special and Technical Paper sp200808s1, Economy and Environment Program for Southeast Asia (EEPSEA), revised Aug 2008.
    37. Abdul Rashid & Maryam Ashfaq, 2017. "Financial Constraints And Corporate Cash Holdings: An Empirical Analysis Using Firm Level Data," Annals of Financial Economics (AFE), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 12(02), pages 1-26, June.
    38. David McLean, R., 2011. "Share issuance and cash savings," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 99(3), pages 693-715, March.
    39. Tao, Miaomiao & Wang, Jianda & Wu, Sihong & Wang, Guanghao, 2024. "Can climate-related information disclosures strengthen green innovation capacity? Firm-level evidence using textual analysis," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 95(C).
    40. Horbach, Jens & Rammer, Christian, 2025. "Climate change affectedness and innovation in firms," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 54(1).
    41. Chen, Yangyang & Dou, Paul Y. & Rhee, S. Ghon & Truong, Cameron & Veeraraghavan, Madhu, 2015. "National culture and corporate cash holdings around the world," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 1-18.
    42. Hossain, Ashrafee T. & Masum, Abdullah-Al, 2022. "Does corporate social responsibility help mitigate firm-level climate change risk?," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 47(PB).
    43. Burke, Marshall & Hsiang, Solomon M & Miguel, Edward, 2015. "Global non-linear effect of temperature on economic production," Department of Economics, Working Paper Series qt3g72r0zv, Department of Economics, Institute for Business and Economic Research, UC Berkeley.
    44. Hong, Harrison & Li, Frank Weikai & Xu, Jiangmin, 2019. "Climate risks and market efficiency," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 208(1), pages 265-281.
    45. Steven N. Kaplan & Luigi Zingales, 1997. "Do Investment-Cash Flow Sensitivities Provide Useful Measures of Financing Constraints?," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 112(1), pages 169-215.
    46. Painter, Marcus, 2020. "An inconvenient cost: The effects of climate change on municipal bonds," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 135(2), pages 468-482.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Adhikari, Hari P. & More, Deepak G. & Sah, Nilesh B., 2025. "Climate change exposure and short-termism: Evidence from net trade credit," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 103(C).
    2. Choi, Sanghak & Jung, Hail & Kim, Daejin, 2025. "Climate change risk and the marginal value of cash holdings," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).
    3. Ongsakul, Viput & Papangkorn, Suwongrat & Jiraporn, Pornsit, 2023. "Estimating the effect of climate change exposure on firm value using climate policy uncertainty: A text-based approach," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Finance, Elsevier, vol. 40(C).
    4. Basha, Shabeen Afsar & Benkraiem, Ramzi & Ben-Nasr, Hamdi & Masum, Abdullah-Al, 2025. "Does political risk exacerbate climate risk? Firm-level evidence," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 104(PA).
    5. A. Hossain & A.-A. Masum & S. Saadi & R. Benkraiem & N. Das, 2023. "Firm-Level Climate Change Risk and CEO Equity Incentives," Post-Print hal-04434397, HAL.
    6. Siamak Javadi & Abdullah‐Al Masum & Mohsen Aram & Ramesh P. Rao, 2023. "Climate change and corporate cash holdings: Global evidence," Financial Management, Financial Management Association International, vol. 52(2), pages 253-295, June.
    7. Agoraki, Konstantina K. & Giaka, Maria & Konstantios, Dimitrios & Negkakis, Ioannis, 2024. "The relationship between firm-level climate change exposure, financial integration, cost of capital and investment efficiency," Journal of International Money and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 141(C).
    8. Hossain, Ashrafee & Masum, Abdullah-Al & Benkraiem, Ramzi, 2024. "Long-term institutional investors and climate change news Beta," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 89(C).
    9. Shima Amini & Sofia Johan & Eilnaz Kashefi-Pour & Abdulkadir Mohamed, 2025. "Climate change risk, investor sentiment, and the performance of new entrant firms," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 65(4), pages 2539-2566, December.
    10. Naseer, Mirza Muhammad & Guo, Yongsheng & Zhu, Xiaoxian, 2025. "The dynamics of corporate climate risk and market volatility: International evidence," The North American Journal of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    11. Chatjuthamard, Pattanaporn & Singh, Simran & Jiraporn, Pornsit & Lee, Sang Mook, 2024. "Climate change exposure, shareholder wealth, and the adoption of the Paris agreement: A text-based approach," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 94(C).
    12. Chen, Wenrui & Cao, Yue & Dong, Yizhe & Ma, Diandian, 2025. "Environmental regulations and corporate cash holdings," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 57(5).
    13. Venturini, Alessio, 2022. "Climate change, risk factors and stock returns: A review of the literature," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).
    14. Khan, Muhammad Kaleem & Hussain, Muhammad Jameel & Hussan, Muhammad Wasim & Qadeer, Afifa & Armstrong, Anona & Li, Shanshan, 2025. "AI integration for climate risk mitigation: The role of organizational context," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 220(C).
    15. Venky Nagar & Jordan Schoenfeld, 2024. "Measuring weather exposure with annual reports," Review of Accounting Studies, Springer, vol. 29(1), pages 1-32, March.
    16. Thanh D. Huynh & Ying Xia, 2023. "Panic Selling When Disaster Strikes: Evidence in the Bond and Stock Markets," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 69(12), pages 7448-7467, December.
    17. Manoja Behera & Jitendra Mahakud, 2026. "Climate risk and corporate cash holdings: an international study," Journal of Economics and Finance, Springer;Academy of Economics and Finance, vol. 50(1), pages 1-43, December.
    18. Amess, Kevin & Banerji, Sanjay & Lampousis, Athanasios, 2015. "Corporate cash holdings: Causes and consequences," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 42(C), pages 421-433.
    19. Wang, Chih-Wei & Wu, Yu-Ching & Hsieh, Hsin-Yi & Huang, Po-Hsiang & Lin, Meng-Chieh, 2022. "Does green bond issuance have an impact on climate risk concerns?," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 111(C).
    20. Guo, Chenhao & Zhong, Rui, 2025. "Is green revenue vanity or sanity? Evidence from corporate cash holdings," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 101(C).

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;

    JEL classification:

    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:sae:emffin:v:24:y:2025:i:3:p:306-330. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: SAGE Publications (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.ifmr.ac.in .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.