Do CEO characteristics influence corporate carbon disclosure and performance? A status quo of prior studies and research recommendations

Abstract The aim of our study was to analyze the impact of CEO characteristics on corporate carbon disclosure and performance. A structured literature review of empirical quantitative studies on how CEOs impact carbon disclosure and performance was conducted. Based on the upper echelons theory, three dimensions (demographic, psychological, and incentives) were identified. CEO demographic characteristics, with a focus on CEO duality, have primarily been used in previous studies. Research results regarding CEO attributes to stress major tendencies are inconclusive. Based on the literature review, we highlight the major research gaps and useful recommendations for future research, such as including CEO climate skills and board-related moderator analyses. Moreover, we emphasize the need to recognize climate-related compensation schemes as CEO incentives. Automated textual analyses of corporate governance and climate disclosure can increase the validity of future research. This paper presents the first literature review on the link between CEOs and carbon outputs. The different variables used in previous research, major research gaps, and useful recommendations for future research, business practice, and regulators are outlined.