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Fishing in muddy water? Climate policy uncertainty and corporate greenwashing in environmental, social, and governance

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  • Zixuan Zhang
  • Zhenyu Ge

Abstract

This study investigates the relationship between climate policy uncertainty and corporate greenwashing behavior using data from Chinese A‐share listed companies from 2009 to 2021. The results indicate that the increasing climate policy uncertainty significantly and robustly strengthens corporate greenwashing behavior, particularly among firms located in regions with weaker environmental regulations, within high‐polluting industries and with shorter‐term management perspectives. Additionally, the development and widespread adoption of digital technologies, along with enhanced external regulatory pressures, can inversely moderate the positive relationship between climate policy uncertainty and corporate greenwashing. In summary, this study contributes to our understanding of corporate behavior under climate risks and provides insights for achieving social sustainability.

Suggested Citation

  • Zixuan Zhang & Zhenyu Ge, 2024. "Fishing in muddy water? Climate policy uncertainty and corporate greenwashing in environmental, social, and governance," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 45(6), pages 4191-4207, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:mgtdec:v:45:y:2024:i:6:p:4191-4207
    DOI: 10.1002/mde.4254
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    Cited by:

    1. Zhang, Zixuan & Ge, Zhenyu & Liu, Shuhan, 2024. "The low carbon transformation of cities and corporate investment efficiency: Evidence from a quasi-natural experiment," Journal of Asian Economics, Elsevier, vol. 95(C).
    2. Menghan Wang & Qi Zhao & Xiaoxiao Gong, 2025. "Does banking relationships promote environmental, social, and governance performance? Empirical evidence from A‐share listed firms in China," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 46(1), pages 425-437, January.

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