Between a rock and a green place: the paradox of ESG and financial conservatism

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the tradeoff between environmental, social and governance (ESG) commitments and financial conservatism. The authors aim to understand how ESG performance and firm-specific characteristics influence the likelihood that companies will adopt financially conservative policies. Design/methodology/approach The authors conducted a logit regression analysis using a sample of non-financial publicly listed UK firms from 2014 to 2019. The analysis evaluates how ESG scores and internal firm characteristics impact the probability of adopting one or more forms of financial conservatism. The choice of a financially conservative policy may depend on the firm’s overall ESG performance, reflecting a strategy to align financial prudence with sustainability goals. Findings The findings show that board independence plays a variable role across different financial policies and over time. The authors identify a negative relationship between ESG performance – particularly in environmental and social dimensions – and the adoption of high-cash or combined high-cash/low-leverage strategies. One possible explanation is that firms with strong ESG engagement may allocate more financial resources toward sustainability initiatives, thereby reducing excess cash holdings or altering capital structure choices. Meanwhile, the effect of profitability on financial conservatism remains ambiguous, suggesting the presence of complex, interacting drivers. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is among the first to frame ESG engagement as potentially in conflict with financial conservatism, highlighting a paradox that extends current theories linking ESG to firm risk and capital structure. By highlighting the potential tradeoffs between sustainability efforts and financial conservatism, this paper provides valuable insights for investors, managers and policymakers aiming to align financial prudence with long-term ESG goals.