The influence of ESG performance on the cost of debt: evidence from Asia Pacific Countries: the moderating role of economic policy uncertainty

Abstract

This paper examines the influence of ESG performance on the cost of debt (CoD) in Asia-Pacific firms from 2010 to 2022. It is among the first to explore how ESG performance scores affect the cost of debt against different economic conditions and market maturity levels.The study finds that companies with higher ESG ratings, particularly environmental and social dimensions, correlate with lower borrowing costs. Governance scores also matter, but they don't seem to influence borrowing costs as much. Additionally, the paper reveals that ESG's impact on borrowing costs is stronger in developed countries than in emerging ones. The research also indicates that during times of economic uncertainty, firms with better social ESG scores are able to adapt more effectively, which may influence their borrowing costs.