Corporate environmental information: The determinants of and market reaction to disclosure

This dissertation examines firm motivations to voluntarily disclose corporate carbon accounting information, as well as what motivates them to disclose mandatory environmental information in light of lenient regulatory enforcement. Additionally, market reactions to these disclosures are evaluated to determine whether stockholders value the disclosure of environmental information.;The first study examines the incentives for firms to disclose their carbon emission accounting information. Measured as the response to the Carbon Disclosure Project's (CDP) annual questionnaire, I investigate the effects of cross-country differences in environmental accounting disclosure among 28 different countries. I find the market structure of a firm's country of residence is significantly related to increased disclosure, similar to prior accounting literature. Contrary to this literature, but supportive of environmental accounting literature, a firm's legal structure is not related to increased carbon accounting disclosures. I find the regulatory stringency of a country is negatively related to the likelihood of disclosure, while the responsiveness of the private sector is positively associated with disclosure.;The second study investigates the incentives driving mandatory disclosure of environmental sanctions, as well as the market reactions to such disclosures. This study investigates a sample of EPA administered sanctions, over a ten- year period, from 1996--2005, to determine what motivates firms to adhere to the mandatory disclosure requirement of SEC Regulation S-K, Item 103. Additionally, I investigate the stock market reaction to the sanction disclosures of those firms which choose to adhere to the mandatory disclosure requirements. Evidence supports the view that the implementation of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requirements, the type of EPA sanction, the size of the penalty, inclusion in an environmentally sensitive industry, reliance on the market for external funding, analyst following, participation in a supplemental environmental project, and environmental performance are all influences in the disclosure choice. Additionally, I also find a significant stock market penalty for the proper disclosure of environmental sanctions.;The third study investigates the determinants of and stock market reaction to the voluntary disclosure of U.S. carbon accounting information. Results indicate the choice to disclose is significantly related to the existence of an environmental committee of the board of directors and a sustainability officer. Greater environmental performance is negatively related to carbon accounting disclosures. Additionally, disclosure is rewarded with a significant positive stock market reaction.;Taken together, these studies provide much needed evidence determining the incentives driving environmental disclosures. With increased stakeholder interest in the affect corporations have on global climate change, the factors influencing environmental disclosures and market reactions to such disclosures are of particular importance to regulators, analysts, academics, corporate leaders and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) alike. There is also increased domestic interest in environmental accounting information as regulators attempt to formulate mandatory corporate carbon disclosures and a cap-and-trade system. A cohesive understanding of these issues by all stakeholders will facilitate the communicative process and assist in attempts to motivate greater disclosure of corporate environmental information to assist in determining the social responsibility of firms. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)...