Are state-owned enterprises more responsible for carbon neutrality? Evidence from stock market reactions to China’s commitment to carbon neutrality

This study investigates whether state-owned enterprises (SOEs) are more responsible for carbon neutrality in the context of a country that produces the most carbon dioxide. It examines listed firms’ market reactions to carbon neutrality commitment for China that was announced first time on 22 September 2020. Using the event study method and based on 2,792 listed firms, we find that overall market reactions to the carbon neutrality commitment is significantly negative, suggesting that firms are expected to exert genuine efforts towards attaining the national goal of carbon neutrality. Furthermore, our results indicate that SOEs encounter more substantial negative market reactions compared to non-SOEs, indicative of higher expectations placed on them for realizing the carbon neutrality commitment. Further analysis reveals that negative market reactions are particularly pronounced for central SOEs as opposed to local SOEs, as the former are perceived to bear a heavier responsibility in achieving national goals. Additionally, SOEs with higher corporate social responsibility scores experience stronger negative market reactions in comparison to those with lower scores. Further analysis based on a difference-in-differences method and a firm-year sample shows that SOEs reduce firm value and carbon emissions intensity more than non-SOEs after the carbon neutrality commitment. Overall, our study supports the argument that SOEs take more responsibility than non-SOEs in achieving carbon neutrality.