Does a green CEO make a green firm? Evidence from Chinese firms on CEO green experience and greenwashing

This article examines the role of CEO green experience in reducing greenwashing among Chinese A-share listed firms from 2012 to 2022. Using ESG disclosure data from Bloomberg and ESG performance data from CNRDS (China Research Data Services database), we find that CEOs with environmental backgrounds significantly narrow the gap between ESG disclosure and actual performance. The effect is more pronounced in state-owned enterprises and heavily polluting firms, suggesting that institutional and environmental pressures likely strengthen the influence of green leadership. Unlike prior studies that focus primarily on firm-level ESG strategies, this study highlights executive environmental experience as a key determinant of ESG credibility. This study offers both theoretical and practical implications for promoting environmental governance through leadership selection.