Exploring policy engagement: the impact of public policy and carbon emissions
Article
Xia, M., Cai, H. and Nguyen, A. 2026. Exploring policy engagement: the impact of public policy and carbon emissions. Environment, Development and Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-026-07357-7
| Type | Article |
|---|---|
| Title | Exploring policy engagement: the impact of public policy and carbon emissions |
| Authors | Xia, M., Cai, H. and Nguyen, A. |
| Abstract | The complexity of governance patronage among firms, especially in relation to their policy engagement and its influence on corporate carbon emissions, presents a multifaceted challenge. This study delves into a detailed analysis of how varying levels of policy engagement influences corporate carbon emissions. Our results reveal that intensified policy engagement does not necessarily translate to a reduction in significant carbon emissions but may instead heighten symbolic carbon emissions, a phenomenon more evident in smaller firms. What’s more, we find that carbon awareness reflects a significant negative moderating effect on the relationship between corporate policy engagement and substantive carbon emissions. When firms aim to reduce emissions, the effective resources generated by these policy activities will inevitably tilt towards the reduction of substantive emissions reductions. Our research underscores that while strategic policy engagement can yield advantageous outcomes for firms, its effectiveness is heavily reliant on the specific environmental strategies and conditions of each firm. |
| Keywords | Policy engagement; Symbolic carbon emissions; Substantive carbon emissions; Carbon Management Strategy |
| Sustainable Development Goals | 13 Climate action |
| Middlesex University Theme | Sustainability |
| Publisher | Springer |
| Journal | Environment, Development and Sustainability |
| ISSN | 1387-585X |
| Electronic | 1573-2975 |
| Publication dates | |
| 09 Feb 2026 | |
| Publication process dates | |
| Submitted | 30 May 2025 |
| Accepted | 13 Jan 2026 |
| Deposited | 09 Feb 2026 |
| Output status | Published |
| Accepted author manuscript | License File Access Level Open |
| Copyright Statement | This version of the article has been accepted for publication, after peer review (when applicable) and is subject to Springer Nature’s AM terms of use, but is not the Version of Record and does not reflect post-acceptance improvements, or any corrections. The Version of Record is available online at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10668-026-07357-7 |
| Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-026-07357-7 |
| Language | English |
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