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ESG Rating Uncertainty and the Cost of Debt Financing

Author

Listed:
  • Jinyu Chen
  • Xinyu Guo
  • Ran Liu

Abstract

Using A‐share listed companies in 2011–2022 as a research sample, this study manually calculates and constructs Environment, Social and Government (ESG) rating uncertainty at the level of Chinese listed companies and examines whether and how ESG rating uncertainty affects firms' cost of debt financing. The empirical results demonstrate that ESG rating uncertainty raises firms' debt financing costs. After a string of robustness tests, the results are still robust. Mechanism analysis identifies credit risk and corporate reputation as the primary channels driving this relationship. Furthermore, high levels of firm's internal control, region's public environmental concerns and the level of financial agglomeration are conducive to mitigating the adverse effects of ESG rating uncertainty. This article enriches the research on the impact of ESG rating uncertainty on microeconomic agents in emerging markets and provides new perspectives to alleviate corporate financing constraints.

Suggested Citation

  • Jinyu Chen & Xinyu Guo & Ran Liu, 2025. "ESG Rating Uncertainty and the Cost of Debt Financing," International Journal of Finance & Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 30(4), pages 4328-4342, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:ijfiec:v:30:y:2025:i:4:p:4328-4342
    DOI: 10.1002/ijfe.3123
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    References listed on IDEAS

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