Drawing on an annual dataset of Chinese Shanghai and Shenzhen A-share listed companies covering the years 2011 to 2023, this study employs multiple regression analysis to investigate the impact of ESG information disclosure on corporate environmental performance and its underlying mechanisms. The results indicate that ESG disclosure significantly enhances environmental performance, a relationship mediated by green innovation, media attention, and executive compensation. Furthermore, heterogeneity analysis reveals that this positive effect is more pronounced in state-owned enterprises, firms with high-quality internal controls, and environmentally sensitive industries. This large-sample study provides a new perspective on how ESG disclosure bolsters corporate green competitiveness and long-term value, offering theoretical support for improving environmental governance and informing policy to promote sustainable economic development in China.
Wu et al. (2025) studied this question.