From Carbon Capture to Cash: Strategic Environmental Leadership, AI, and the Performance of U.S. Firms

Abstract

This research unravels the strategic confluence of environmental leadership and cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the realm of Carbon Capture technology, and their combined effect on the financial fortitude of U.S. firms. It posits that a firm’s environmental vision, when led by transformative green leadership, significantly propels the effective adoption of Carbon Capture solutions. Drawing on data from 145 publicly traded U.S. entities from the years 2017 to 2019, provided by the Carbon Disclosure Project and Compustat, this study meticulously explores the interrelation between a firm’s environmental initiatives - including managerial focus, shared vision, proactive green strategies, and innovation—and its performance outcomes. The findings illuminate that while environmental commitments like management focus and a unified vision greatly encourage the embracement of Carbon Capture, the financial implications of these adoptions present a complex picture.