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The rise and demise of the Net-Zero Banking Alliance: Did the markets care?

Author

Listed:
  • Canan Yildirim

    (Rennes SB - Rennes School of Business)

  • Dieter Vanwalleghem

    (Rennes SB - Rennes School of Business)

Abstract

This paper examines financial market reactions to the rise and collapse of the Net-Zero Banking Alliance, a major voluntary climate initiative launched in April 2021. Using an event study, we find that only founding members experienced significant negative stock price reactions, with average declines of 2% upon joining, suggesting investors viewed the commitments as credible but costly. Later signings and exits had no significant effect, reflecting declining credibility as the alliance weakened its governance amid political pressure and member departures. These findings underscore the role of institutional context and internal governance in shaping market responses to voluntary environmental commitments in banking. 1 We are grateful to NZBA for providing us with the full dates of signings, and Jojo Jacob, Anke Piepenbrink, and other seminar participants for their helpful comments during the Center for Unframed Thinking seminar, Spotlight on Green Transition (June 2025).

Suggested Citation

  • Canan Yildirim & Dieter Vanwalleghem, 2026. "The rise and demise of the Net-Zero Banking Alliance: Did the markets care?," Post-Print hal-05381657, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-05381657
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econlet.2025.112721
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://hal.science/hal-05381657v1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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