An Analysis of the Effects of Climate Change Policy, Stakeholder Pressure, and Corporate Carbon Management on Carbon Efficiency on the Korean Petrochemical Industry

Climate change is a challenging issue for government and society as well as in business circles; it has the potential to transform the competitive business environment entirely. This study analyzed the carbon efficiency of petrochemical companies subject to the Target Management System, a Korean carbon policy. The results of data envelopment analysis of 20 Korean petrochemical companies over three years yield some interesting findings. First, companies showed a wide range of carbon efficiency ranging from 0.05 (the least efficient) to 1.00 (the most efficient). Second, because this gap is so wide, the effect of the TMS carbon policy was not apparent. Third, pressure from media and financial investors facilitates carbon efficiency. Fourth, firms’ efforts toward low-carbon product/technology development also improve carbon efficiency. This study provides some implications for managers and policy-makers who wish to foster firms’ competitiveness and reduce greenhouse gas emissions at the same time.