Finance Faculty Publications and Presentations

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-26-2025

Abstract

This study examines the environmental risk management practices of US firms operating in environmentally sensitive industries. Using two proxy variables for ex ante environmental policy risk—firm-level toxic chemical emissions and climate-related keywords in annual financial statements—we demonstrate that firms facing high ex ante environmental policy risk tend to increase the frequency and length of their voluntary sustainability reports. Additionally, we find that proactive sustainability disclosures significantly mitigate firm-level systematic risk (beta) and associated litigation risk. This risk reduction is more pronounced among firms with substantial green innovations and stronger corporate governance practices. Overall, this study highlights the causes and consequences of voluntary sustainability reports, focusing on how environmentally sensitive firms manage environmental risk through these publications.

Comments

This is the peer reviewed version of the following article:

Chung, C., Kim, I. and Yang, R. (2025), Are Environmentally Sensitive Firms More Likely to Release Corporate Environmental Disclosures? Evidence From Environmental Risk Management. Bus Strat Env. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.4158

This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions. This article may not be enhanced, enriched or otherwise transformed into a derivative work, without express permission from Wiley or by statutory rights under applicable legislation. Copyright notices must not be removed, obscured or modified. The article must be linked to Wiley’s version of record on Wiley Online Library and any embedding, framing or otherwise making available the article or pages thereof by third parties from platforms, services and websites other than Wiley Online Library must be prohibited.

Publication Title

Business Strategy and the Environment

DOI

10.1002/bse.4158

Available for download on Tuesday, January 26, 2027

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