GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSION ALLOWANCES: FINANCIAL REPORTING TRANSPARENCY

Abstract

This research analyzes the influence that the performance of GHG emissions has on the level of transparency in financial reporting. Content analysis of the financial statement notes allowed the level of transparency to be measured. The results suggest that the level of transparency in financial reporting is negatively related to the performance of GHG emissions when financial reports are prepared on the basis of the International Financial Reporting Standards. It was also concluded that more ‘good news’ is disclosed by companies when their GHG emissions’ performance reduces. This study complements previous literature about transparency in financial reporting, and the necessity to relate it to eco-efficiency measures to empower the decision-making process of stakeholders. The study also provides a reference for European accounting regulators on the behavior of companies with regard to this issue.

Keywords

• greenhouse gas emissions
• international financial reporting standards
• financial reporting
• panel data