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Purpose

This study aims to examine the link between gender-diverse boards and corporate carbon performance in light of climate change concerns and the growing emphasis on gender diversity’s role in reducing carbon emissions. In addition, it explores how board gender diversity affects greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and assesses the moderating role of corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

To assess the study’s conceptual framework empirically, this study uses data from FTSE 100 companies spanning the period from 2011 to 2020. The primary analytical model in this study is ordinary least squares, and additional tests are conducted to confirm the consistency of the results.

Findings

This study finds a positive correlation between the presence of women on boards and a firm’s ability to reduce emissions. It also highlights that a firm’s CSR strategy significantly moderates the relationship between board gender diversity and GHG emissions. Furthermore, boards with three or more women are more likely to create effective GHG emissions strategies. These results are consistent across different identification methods and econometric models.

Originality/value

This study investigates the interplay between corporate governance, carbon accounting and gender diversity, emphasizing the pivotal role of a company’s CSR strategy in reducing GHG emissions, especially in firms with diverse boards. The findings underline the importance of a robust CSR strategy to enhance the positive impact of gender heterogeneity on carbon accounting, with notable policy implications for global GHG emission mitigation and sustainability promotion.

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