Green Bonds, Air Quality, and Mortality: Evidence from the People’s Republic of China

This study uses city-level data from the People’s Republic of China to examine links between green bond market development and air quality as well as mortality rates. It finds that cities with more green bond financing as a share of total bond financing tend to have better air quality. The effect is stronger when certified green bonds are examined and in cities with higher gross domestic product growth. Further, local green bond issuance is also negatively related to mortality rates. The findings support the argument that green bond issuance is a credible signal of corporates’ commitment to be environmentally responsible.