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Do banks practice what they preach? Brown lending and environmental disclosure in the euro area

Author

Listed:
  • Gambacorta, Leonardo
  • Polizzi, Salvatore
  • Reghezza, Alessio
  • Scannella, Enzo

Abstract

This study examines whether the level of environmental disclosure in banks’ financial reports matches less brown lending portfolios. Using granular credit register data and detailed information on firm-level greenhouse gas emission intensities, we find a negative relationship between environmental disclosure and brown lending. However, this effect is contingent on the tone of the financial report. Banks that express a negative tone, reflecting genuine concern and awareness of environmental risks, tend to lend less to more polluting firms. Conversely, banks that express a positive tone, indicating lower concern and awareness of environmental risks, tend to lend more to polluting firms. These findings highlight the importance of increasing awareness of environmental risks, so that banks perceive them as a critical and urgent pressing threat, leading to a genuine commitment to act as environmentally responsible lenders.

Suggested Citation

  • Gambacorta, Leonardo & Polizzi, Salvatore & Reghezza, Alessio & Scannella, Enzo, 2023. "Do banks practice what they preach? Brown lending and environmental disclosure in the euro area," CEPR Discussion Papers 18623, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:18623
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    Cited by:

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    2. Galletta, Simona & Goodell, John W. & Mazzù, Sebastiano & Paltrinieri, Andrea, 2025. "The impact of environmental disclosure and controversies on bank value," Journal of Economics and Business, Elsevier, vol. 134.
    3. Buchetti, Bruno & Miquel-Flores, Ixart & Perdichizzi, Salvatore & Reghezza, Alessio & Lin, Luca X., 2024. "Loan guarantee and portfolio greening: evidence from European credit registers," Working Paper Series 2916, European Central Bank.

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • G20 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - General
    • G21 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Banks; Other Depository Institutions; Micro Finance Institutions; Mortgages
    • M41 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Accounting - - - Accounting
    • 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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