ESG Performance and Corporate Financial Performance under Public Opinion Crisis

In recent years, firms have suffered more and more frequent losses of reputation and interests due to public opinion crises, and firms can effectively establish a good brand image, accumulate corporate reputation, and obtain economic benefits by improving their ESG performance. Therefore, firms can improve their ESG performance, convey positive signals to the public through their good ESG performance in the event of negative news or even a public opinion crisis, and then make up for losses. This paper selects the data of public opinion, ESG and financial indicators of Chinese A-share listed companies from 2017-2024 for empirical analysis and robustness test, and draws the following conclusions: public opinion crisis significantly inhibits financial performance, while improving ESG level can effectively weaken its negative effects, which are different according to the media attention of firms. Finally, this paper summarizes the research findings, reflects on its theoretical and management implications, and puts forward targeted suggestions.