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Abstract This study delves into the intricate dynamics between environmental, social, and governance (ESG) ratings and corporate debt financing costs among China’s A-share listed companies from 2010 to 2021. Analyzing a substantial dataset unveils a tangible link where higher ESG ratings correlate with significantly lower debt financing costs. This relationship manifests more prominently in enterprises with lower pollution levels, state ownership, and those in China’s central and western regions, especially under heightened economic policy uncertainty. The findings elucidate that improved ESG ratings, reflective of robust sustainability practices, diminish corporate agency costs and enhance financial stability, thereby reducing debt financing expenses. This research extends the discourse in the knowledge economy by offering empirical evidence on how ESG integration can serve as a lever for financial efficiency and sustainability in business operations. By spotlighting the financial merits of embracing ESG criteria, the study offers profound insights for policymakers, investors, and corporations, encouraging the acceleration of ESG disclosure and assessment frameworks. In doing so, it supports the cultivation of high-caliber, environmentally friendly enterprises, aligning with the broader objectives of innovation, entrepreneurship, and societal welfare within the knowledge economy paradigm.
Zhao et al. (Tue,) studied this question.