Climate related disclosures and investor behaviour: An Australian study

Abstract

In this paper, we examine how climate-related disclosures impact investment decisions. Using a survey experiment and adopting both between-subjects and within-subjects designs, we developed three distinct firm scenarios: one where the firm did not disclose climate-related risks; the second where the firm disclosed climate-related risks only (following the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) guidelines); and the third where the firm disclosed both climate-related risks and corresponding risk mitigation strategies (also in line with the TCFD guidelines). From our analysis of a sample of 96 stock market investors in Australia, the results show that the investors were inclined to commit more money to the two firms that disclosed climate-related risks than the firm that did not. Moreover, the most money was invested in the firm that disclosed both the risks and risk mitigation strategies, irrespective of the investment horizon. Further, we found no evidence that the investors' belief in climate change moderates the association between disclosure level and investors' investment decision. The study demonstrates the contemporary significance of climate change as a pertinent investment risk and the heightened importance investors are placing on companies to manage associated risks. The results also provide support for the decision usefulness of the TCFD guidelines, which have been fully incorporated into the mandatory sustainability reporting standards of the International Sustainability Standards Board.