Can CSR performance-based incentives help reduce greenhouse gas emissions?
Can Corporate Social Responsibility performance-based incentives contribute to greenhouse gas emission reduction?
Principal Investigator: Leanne Keddie, Accounting
Project Title: Can Corporate Social Responsibility Performance-based Incentives Contribute to Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction?
Funder: SSHRC Insight Development
The climate crisis is one of the most critical emergencies of our time. It is estimated that just
100 corporations contribute 71% of all carbon emissions1. As such, it is important for corporations to reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in line with earth’s carrying capacity. Doing this requires drastic changes in firm behaviour and a key driver of such behavioural change has traditionally been incentives. While typically thought of as financial in nature in a corporate setting, firms are increasingly integrating social and environmental targets into their executive bonus plans. The goal of this research is to determine whether or not the use of these Corporate Social Responsibility performance¬-based incentives (CSRPBI) are effective in helping to reduce corporate GHGs.
1Griffin, P. (2017). Carbon Majors Report 2017. CDP Worldwide & Climate Accountability Institute.