Impact of Environmental Performance on Financial Performance: Empirical Evidence from Indian Banking Sector

Abstract

There has been long-standing debate over whether or not firms gain economic competiveness from reducing their impact on the environment. Although ample literature is available on association between environmental performance and financial performance across various sectors, little empirical evidence is available in context of Indian banking sector. This research aims to analyze whether there is any significant relationship between environmental performance and financial performance of banks operating in India for a period 2013-14 to 2017-18. Secondary data has been collected for a sample of 83 banks operating in India. Content analysis was applied to extract information about environmental performance disclosed by sample banks followed by construction of environmental disclosure score index. Hierarchical multiple regression was applied to analyze relationship between environmental performance and financial performance after controlling for effects of size, financial leverage and capital intensity. Results exhibit no significant relationship between environmental performance and financial performance of banks operating in India. Findings of this research are expected to provide insight to users and readers of financial statements to have better understanding about the environmental practices carried out by banks. It would also contribute significantly towards decision making for policy makers in Indian banking sector to establish mandatory environmental legislations for reporting on environmental practices in order to improve non financial disclosure and financial performance in Indian banking sector.