Impact of corporate governance diversity on carbon emission under environmental policy via the mandatory nonfinancial reporting regulation

Abstract

This study builds on the expanding literature on the interplay of corporate governance and corporate environment behaviour following the introduction of the carbon reporting directives of the UK Companies Act in 2013. We specifically focus on seeking clarity on the relationship between gender diversity, board independence, and board size with corporate environmental performance. The study examines these relationships under a mandatory nonfinancial reporting (NFR) requirement and tests the impact of regulatory shocks on board composition and channels affecting carbon emission. The findings confirm that board gender diversity and independence improve a firm's environmental performance. And while larger board sizes lead to larger environmental investments, the study finds that larger board sizes leads to poor environmental performance for the firm. The findings contribute to developments in countries, such as the United States, where there is an ongoing debate on the adoption of a mandatory NFR of carbon and the response of corporate boards.