Green finance reform policy increases corporate hypocritical business strategies: Evidence from the greenwashing behavior

Many countries have initiated specific regions dedicated to Green Finance to enhance environmental sustainability. This paper examines the influence of these zones on corporate greenwashing practices, using data from Chinese listed companies. Greenwashing is assessed by comparing corporate environmental, social, and governance disclosures against their actual performance in these areas. We find that the establishment of Green Finance Pilot Zones, which means experimental zones, significantly increases greenwashing behavior. These zones reduce actual performance in environmental, social, and governance aspects without altering disclosure practices. Additionally, the impact of these zones on greenwashing is more pronounced in companies with higher debt ratios and when environmental subsidies expire, indicating that financial incentives drive greenwashing. Conversely, stricter government regulations can mitigate this negative effect. The detrimental impact of these zones is notably observed in non-state-owned enterprises, non-heavy polluting companies, and industries with lower market concentration. The findings provide a foundation for further international studies and collaboration in the pursuit of global environmental sustainability, aiding the design and implementation of more robust and transparent Green Finance programs that can be adapted to various economic contexts.