Appraisal of Sustainable Development Goal 13 (Climate Action) Commitments among Nigerian Firms: Carbon Emission Disclosure and its Determinants

Abstract: Climate change is a critical global challenge necessitating immediate action, particularly from emerging economies like Nigeria. This research evaluates the commitment of Nigerian firms to Sustainable Development Goal 13 (SDG 13) by analyzing carbon emission disclosures and identifying their determinants. This study aims to fill a significant gap in the literature by utilizing data from the annual reports of 86 listed firms spanning 2004 to 2023. The study employs the fixed-effects and random-effects regression models, to estimate the variables under investigation. The findings reveal a low average carbon emission disclosure rate of 0.1688, suggesting insufficient transparency among firms. Notably, audit quality negatively correlates with disclosure levels, indicating that firms with higher audit quality may feel less compelled to disclose emissions. Conversely, larger firms and those with greater board gender diversity are more likely to report their carbon emissions, supporting the notion that diverse perspectives can enhance transparency. Additionally, older firms demonstrate a significant positive relationship with disclosure practices, reflecting established norms around environmental accountability. The study highlights that while larger boards are typically associated with better governance, the results indicate that they may hinder effective decision-making regarding sustainability reporting. Furthermore, the lack of significant impact from board independence challenges traditional views on corporate governance, suggesting that independent directors may not prioritize environmental issues. It is recommended that enhancing proactive disclosure practices, optimizing board structures, promoting gender diversity, leveraging the experience of established firms, and tailoring sustainability approaches by industry. These strategies aim to align corporate practices with Nigeria's commitment to sustainability, ultimately contributing to improved environmental accountability and corporate governance. Keywords: SDGs; Climate Action; Carbon Emission Disclosure; Nigerian Firms; Audit Quality; Board Gender Diversity; Corporate Governance. Title: Appraisal of Sustainable Development Goal 13 (Climate Action) Commitments among Nigerian Firms: Carbon Emission Disclosure and its Determinants Author: Sadisu Abdul-azeez Matazu, Tijjani Habibu Ahmad, Umar Bello Umar International Journal of Novel Research in Interdisciplinary Studies ISSN 2394-9716 Vol. 12, Issue 5, September 2025 - October 2025 Page No: 1-13 Novelty Journals Website: www.noveltyjournals.com Published Date: 17-October-2025 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17381077 Paper Download Link (Source) https://www.noveltyjournals.com/upload/paper/Appraisal%20of%20Sustainable%20Development-17102025-3.pdf