Abstract
We examine the effects of an ESG reporting mandate on firms’ corporate performance. Exploiting discontinuous ESG reporting requirements assigned to otherwise similar small and large-sized private firms, we document that ESG reporting increases firms’ corporate performance. Our evidence suggests that the mandate helps firms establishing a credible commitment with employees and customers, which allows them to enjoy higher performance. Our results are robust to a matched sample, a mixed difference-in-differences and regression discontinuity setting and to the use of alternative thresholds of ESG reporting. We contribute to the literature by providing evidence that suggests private firms benefit from reporting non-financial information.