Impact assessment of zero waste initiatives on corporate ESG performance

ESG is an acronym for Environmental, Social, and Governance, referring to the three key dimensions of corporate sustainability performance. To tackle solid waste challenges and promote corporate sustainability, China launched a pilot for “zero-waste cities” in 2019. Using panel data of 1375 companies, this paper examines the policy’s impact on corporate ESG performance. The findings reveal that the policy enhances corporate ESG performance. The ESG scores of enterprises in pilot areas are approximately 0.14 points higher than those of enterprises in non-pilot areas, demonstrating a moderate policy impact. Mechanism tests indicate that the policy improves corporate ESG performance by promoting environmental governance and green technology innovation. Notably, the effect is more pronounced in non-state-owned enterprises and highly polluting industries. These conclusions offer valuable insights for strengthening corporate ESG practices and promoting sustainable development.