The Effect of Female Representation on Boards on Environmental, Social, and Governance Disclosure: Empirical Evidence from Saudi Highly Polluting Industries

Iman Babiker, Mashael Bakhit, Aida Osman Abdalla Bilal (), Ayman Abdalla Mohammed Abubakr and Abubkr Ahmed Elhadi Abdelraheem
Additional contact information
Iman Babiker: Department of Accounting, College of Business Administration, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, P.O. Box 84428, Riyadh 11671, Saudi Arabia
Mashael Bakhit: Department of Accounting, College of Business Administration, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, P.O. Box 84428, Riyadh 11671, Saudi Arabia
Aida Osman Abdalla Bilal: Department of Accounting, College of Business Administration, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, P.O. Box 84428, Riyadh 11671, Saudi Arabia
Ayman Abdalla Mohammed Abubakr: Academic Programs for Military Colleges, Department of Financial Management, Abu Dhabi University, Abu Dhabi 20000, United Arab Emirates
Abubkr Ahmed Elhadi Abdelraheem: Department of Accounting, College of Business Administration in Hawtat Bani Tamim, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Hawtat Bani Tamim 16622, Saudi Arabia

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 6, 1-28

Abstract: This study examines the effect of female representation in boardrooms on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) disclosure in listed firms in Saudi Arabia. The study examined 200 highly polluting firms from 2019 to 2023 and constructed a robust ESG disclosure index with 62 items benchmarked against international and Saudi ESG disclosure-related guidelines, as well as well-grounded literature. The findings show that female representation on firm boards is positively and significantly associated with ESG disclosure, suggesting that Saudi-listed firms that ensure and promote female representation on their boards are more likely to provide more comprehensive ESG disclosures than others. The results highlight the role of board diversity in governance reforms and its alignment with Saudi Vision 2030’s gender inclusion goals. This study contributes to the corporate governance (CG) and sustainability literature by emphasizing how board gender diversity strengthens ESG reporting, regulatory compliance, and corporate resilience. The introduced findings are relevant for policymakers, investors, and corporate leaders seeking to foster sustainable business practices and improve ESG performance in emerging markets.

Keywords: female representation; environmental, social, and governance (ESG) disclosure; Saudi Vision 2030; corporate sustainability; highly polluting industries (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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