The Effect of Corporate Environmental Performance on Corporate Financial Performance

This review explores the effect of corporate environmental performance on financial performance. In particular, it reviews the empirical evidence on this effect. Conceptually, stronger environmental performance may lead to worse or better financial performance. The empirical literature generally finds a positive link from good environmental performance to financial success. However, many studies reveal a negative link. Given this mixed evidence, literature reviews and meta-analyses help to discern the conditions under which better environmental performance prompts financial success or disappointment. Similarly, this review organizes the empirical evidence by the specific measures of environmental performance and financial performance to discern which links are positive or negative. Lastly, the review identifies shortcomings in the empirical literature and offers suggestions for future research. For example, analyses should more fully explore the factors shaping the links from environmental to financial performance, such as firm size and economy type (e.g., mature market).