Female board representation and green patenting: Evidence from U.S

This paper examines the effect of female board representation on green patenting in U.S. firms, finding that the presence of female directors is associated with a significant increase in both the number and economic value of green patents. Using the California Board Gender Diversity Mandate as a quasi-natural experiment, I provide causal evidence that firms required to increase female board representation subsequently engage in more green innovation. Mechanism analyses indicate that this effect operates primarily through a governance-driven (pecuniary) channel, where female directors strengthen board oversight, investment discipline, and long-term strategic decision-making, while values-driven (non-pecuniary) motives play a less prominent role. This study contributes to understanding how corporate governance and leadership diversity translate into environmentally meaningful technological outcomes.