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The Impact of Corporate Responsiveness to Global Anti‐Corruption Initiatives on Enhancing Corporate Emissions Performance: The Moderating Role of CSR Sustainability Committee. Evidence From G20 Firms

Author

Listed:
  • Rami Salem
  • Musa Ghazwani

Abstract

Corruption remains a major obstacle to effective corporate governance and sustainable environmental performance, undermining global efforts to achieve climate objectives. While prior research has examined governance, CSR, and environmental practices separately, few studies integrate global anti‐corruption initiatives with firm‐level environmental outcomes, particularly in G20 economies. This study investigates the influence of global anti‐corruption frameworks such as the Organization for Economic Co‐operation and Development (OECD) Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards, and the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) on corporate emission performance and examines whether Corporate Social Responsibility Sustainability Committees (CSRSC) moderate this relationship. Using 117,305 firm‐year observations from G20 countries between 2005 and 2022, we apply Ordinary Least Squares (OLS), Fixed Effects, and Random Effects estimations, with robustness checks, to assess the relationships. Our findings show that adherence to the GRI Standards and the implementation of anti‐bribery and corruption policies (PBC) significantly enhance emission performance, while the OECD Guidelines, Bribery and Fraud Controls (BCC), and the UNGC exert comparatively weaker effects. CSRSCs strengthen the positive association between anti‐corruption initiatives and emission performance, highlighting their role as an amplifying governance mechanism. The findings remain consistent across multiple specifications. This study advances the CSR and corporate sustainability literature by linking ethical governance to environmental outcomes and provides actionable insights for policymakers and corporate leaders seeking to align anti‐corruption compliance with climate action and sustainable development goals.

Suggested Citation

  • Rami Salem & Musa Ghazwani, 2026. "The Impact of Corporate Responsiveness to Global Anti‐Corruption Initiatives on Enhancing Corporate Emissions Performance: The Moderating Role of CSR Sustainability Committee. Evidence From G20 Firms," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 34(1), pages 299-320, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:sustdv:v:34:y:2026:i:1:p:299-320
    DOI: 10.1002/sd.70258
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    References listed on IDEAS

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