MNEs and financing climate change transitions: the challenge of collective action

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Zahra, Shaker A.
• 署名单位: University of Minnesota System; University of Minnesota Twin Cities
• 刊物名称: JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS STUDIES
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0047-2506
• DOI: 10.1057/s41267-024-00757-9
• 发表日期: 2025
• 页码: 501-509
• 关键词: climate change; finance; multinationals; Green transitions

摘要

Allen et al. (2024a) present an insightful and comprehensive analysis of the role multinationals (MNEs) can play in tackling worldwide climate change challenges. Acknowledging that this role is complex and multifaceted, they pay special attention to the financing of climate change initiatives and the unique advantages MNEs have in this regard. I reflect on Allen et al.'s key arguments and proposals and their underlying assumptions, which I found to be overly optimistic on multiple grounds. The common denominator in the range of issues and questions I raise is the challenge of coordinating collective action - either among nation-states, MNEs, NGOs, or some combination thereof - on what is inherently a global-scale issue. I conclude by outlining a future research agenda. This article discusses the role of multinational enterprises (MNEs) in addressing climate change. MNEs are large companies that operate in multiple countries. The authors argue that MNEs have a unique position to help tackle climate change because of their global reach and resources. They highlight that MNEs can lead efforts in financing climate initiatives, spreading technology, and influencing regulations. However, the authors also note that MNEs face challenges, such as balancing financial performance with environmental responsibilities and dealing with different regulations across countries. This article explores how MNEs can contribute to solving climate change issues. The authors suggest that MNEs can use their international operations to manage resources efficiently and spread green technologies. They emphasize the importance of corporate governance (the system by which companies are directed and controlled) in promoting environmental responsibility. The authors also discuss financial innovations, like linking debt costs to carbon emissions, as ways to encourage MNEs to reduce their environmental impact. They acknowledge the pressure on executives from stakeholders (people or groups affected by the company's actions) to act on climate issues. The authors recommend partnerships between MNEs and other organizations to address these challenges. The authors conclude that MNEs have significant potential to influence global climate change efforts positively. They highlight the importance of MNEs' governance systems in supporting these initiatives. However, they also point out the difficulties MNEs face, such as navigating different legal systems and managing diverse stakeholder expectations. The article suggests that while MNEs can play a crucial role, they cannot do it alone and need collaboration with governments and other entities. In the future, MNEs could drive more sustainable practices worldwide if they overcome these challenges and align their strategies with global climate goals.This text was initially drafted using artificial intelligence, then reviewed by the author(s) to ensure accuracy. Allen, Barbalau, Chavez et Zeni (2024) pr & eacute;sentent une analyse perspicace et compl & egrave;te du r & ocirc;le que les multinationales (MNEs) peuvent jouer pour relever les d & eacute;fis du changement climatique & agrave; l'& eacute;chelle mondiale. Reconnaissant que ce r & ocirc;le est complexe et multidimensionnel, ils accordent une attention particuli & egrave;re au financement des initiatives de lutte contre le changement climatique et aux avantages uniques dont disposent les MNEs & agrave; cet & eacute;gard. Je me penche sur les principaux arguments et propositions d'Allen et de ses co-auteurs ainsi que sur leurs postulats sous-jacents, que j'ai trouv & eacute;s trop optimistes & agrave; plusieurs & eacute;gards. Le d & eacute;nominateur commun de l'ensemble des probl & egrave;mes et des questions que je soul & egrave;ve est le d & eacute;fi li & eacute; & agrave; la coordination de l'action collective-que ce soit entre les & Eacute;tats-nations, les MNEs, les ONG ou une combinaison des trois-sur ce qui est par nature un probl & egrave;me & agrave; l'& eacute;chelle mondiale. Je conclus en esquissant un programme de recherche pour l'avenir. Allen, Barbalau, Chavez y Zeni (2024) presentan un an & aacute;lisis perspicaz y exhaustivo del papel que pueden desempe & ntilde;ar las empresas multinacionales (MNEs por sus iniciales en ingl & eacute;s) en abordar los desaf & iacute;os globales del cambio clim & aacute;tico. Reconociendo que este papel es complejo y multifac & eacute;tico, prestan especial atenci & oacute;n al financiamiento de iniciativas contra el cambio clim & aacute;tico y las ventajas & uacute;nicas que tienen las empresas multinacionales en este aspecto. Reflexiono sobre los argumentos y propuestas clave de Allen et al. y sus supuestos subyacentes, que encontr & eacute; excesivamente optimistas en m & uacute;ltiples aspectos. El denominador com & uacute;n en la gama de cuestiones y preguntas que planteo es el desaf & iacute;o de coordinar la acci & oacute;n colectiva-ya sea entre estados naci & oacute;n, empresas multinacionales, ONG o alguna combinaci & oacute;n de estos-en lo que es inherentemente un tema de escala global. Concluyo delineando una agenda de investigaci & oacute;n futura. Allen, Barbalau, Chavez e Zeni (2024) apresentam uma an & aacute;lise abrangente e atilada do papel que multinacionais (MNEs) podem desempenhar no enfrentamento de desafios mundiais das mudan & ccedil;as clim & aacute;ticas. Reconhecendo que esse papel & eacute; complexo e multifacetado, eles dedicam especial aten & ccedil;& atilde;o ao financiamento de iniciativas de mudan & ccedil;a clim & aacute;tica e & agrave;s vantagens & uacute;nicas que MNEs t & ecirc;m a esse respeito. Reflito sobre os principais argumentos e propostas de Allen et al. e suas suposi & ccedil;& otilde;es subjacentes, que considero excessivamente otimistas em v & aacute;rios aspectos. O denominador comum na gama de temas e quest & otilde;es que levanto & eacute; o desafio de coordenar a & ccedil;& otilde;es coletivas-seja entre estados-na & ccedil;& atilde;o, MNEs, NGOs ou alguma combina & ccedil;& atilde;o deles-sobre o que & eacute; inerentemente uma quest & atilde;o de escala global. Concluo por delinear uma agenda de pesquisa futura. Allen,Barbalau,Chavez (sic) Zeni (2024) (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic) (MNE) (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic).(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic), (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)MNE(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic).(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic), (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic).(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)--(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic),MNE,(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)--(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic).(sic)(sic), (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic).