ESG and Insolvency Risk: Evidence, Theory, and an Integrated Risk Mitigation Framework

Abstract

This study examines the role of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices in mitigating corporate insolvency risk. Building on an extensive review of 69 empirical studies spanning 2005–2025, the article synthesises evidence on how ESG initiatives influence firm risk, including insolvency risk, earnings volatility, and broader financial and operational exposures. The literature indicates that strong ESG performance enhances operational efficiency, fosters stakeholder trust, reduces litigation risk, and facilitates access to external capital markets, collectively stabilising cash flows and lowering insolvency risk. While leverage remains a key determinant of insolvency risk, ESG primarily operates through cash flow channel, highlighting its distinctive contribution to corporate resilience. The study further identifies firm-level moderators—including CEO duality, board gender diversity, family ownership, stewardship practices, and financial constraints—that shape the effectiveness of ESG in reducing risk. The article proposes an integrated framework that captures these interrelated channels and moderators, offering a comprehensive understanding of how ESG practices contribute to insolvency risk mitigation across diverse industries and geographies. By synthesising theoretical perspectives, including stakeholder theory, resource-based view, signalling theory, and risk management theory, the study provides actionable insights for regulators, policymakers, investors, and corporate managers seeking to enhance firm stability and long-term value through ESG integration.