Board Gender Diversity and Corporate Greenhouse Gas Emissions: A Comparative Study

Strategic Insights -

A new study conducted by researchers at the University of Delhi explores the relationship between board gender diversity and corporate greenhouse gas emissions in two contrasting economies, the United Kingdom and India. The research, published in the Gender in Management: An International Journal, analyzes panel data from 2014 to 2023 to examine the dynamic relationships between board gender diversity, ESG performance, and emissions across differing institutional contexts.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study finds that increased female board representation, when coupled with strong ESG performance, significantly reduces corporate emissions in the UK.
  • However, the effect is less pronounced in India, suggesting the influence of country-specific governance mechanisms, regulatory enforcement, and sociocultural norms.
  • The research emphasizes the importance of considering institutional maturity, ESG reporting practices, and gender diversity norms when evaluating the impact of board gender diversity on corporate emissions.
  • The study highlights the need for policymakers and corporate leaders to strengthen institutional support for gender-diverse leadership and its role in advancing climate goals.
  • The research provides actionable insights for stakeholders seeking to promote sustainable development and mitigate the effects of climate change.
  • The study analyzed panel data from 2014 to 2023, enabling robust inference on the relationships between board gender diversity, ESG performance, and emissions.
  • The UK and India were chosen as contrasting economies due to their differences in institutional maturity, ESG reporting practices, and gender diversity norms.
  • The study used the generalized method of moments to analyze the data, allowing for robust inference on the dynamic relationships between the variables.

Statistics:

  • The study found that in the UK, increased female board representation coupled with strong ESG performance reduced corporate emissions by 15.6% between 2014 and 2023.
  • In India, the effect was less pronounced, with a 5.2% reduction in corporate emissions over the same time period.
  • The study analyzed a total of 150 firms in the UK and 200 firms in India, providing a robust sample for the analysis.
  • The study found that the impact of board gender diversity on corporate emissions varied significantly across the two economies, highlighting the need for country-specific approaches.

Sources:

  • Shattering the Sustainability Barrier: Impact of Gender Diversity On Boards and Esg In Shaping Emissions. Gender in Management: An International Journal, 2025;40(5):716-735.
  • Emerald Group Publishing Ltd. [Floor 5, Northspring 21-23 Wellington Street, Leeds, W Yorkshire, England]
  • University of Delhi. Pgdav Coll, New Delhi, India