Corporate Governance, Firms’ Characteristics and Environmental Performance Disclosure Practices of Indian Companies

Abstract This study attempts to explore the effect of corporate governance parameters like board size and independent directors along with firm-specific characteristics such as age, size and profitability on the environmental performance disclosure of 38 National Stock Exchange (NSE) listed Indian non-financial companies for the period of 2013–2017. This study uses panel data analysis and finally documents a positive impact of board size and age of firm on the environmental performance disclosures of Indian companies. The study also finds a significant and negative effect of board independence on the environmental performance disclosure of such companies. The study based on its findings questions the role of independent directors as an internal regulatory body and suggests external regulatory specifications for better environmental performance and its disclosure to the public.