Skip to main navigation Skip to search Skip to main content

How Firms Adapt to Rising Temperatures: Evidence from U.S. Establishments

Zuben Jin, Frank Weikai Li, Yupeng Lin, Zilong Zhang*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review

Abstract

Using detailed information on millions of establishments owned by U.S. public firms from 1990 to 2012, we show that long-lasting rising temperatures incentivize local public firms to reorganize their operation network by cutting local employment and shutting down local establishments exposed to rising temperature. In addition, firms’ operational adjustments to rising temperatures are closely related to managerial attention to, belief in climate issues, and ownership by environmentally aware funds. Further analyses reveal that firms’ adaption behavior is mainly driven by the negative long-run effect of rising temperatures on local consumer demands. Overall, we provide large-sample evidence on firms’ operational adjustments in response to rising temperature. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V. 2025.
Original languageEnglish
Number of pages29
JournalJournal of Business Ethics
Online published26 Aug 2025
DOIs
Publication statusOnline published - 26 Aug 2025

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  1. SDG 13 - Climate Action
    SDG 13 Climate Action

Research Keywords

  • Climate change
  • Consumer demands
  • Firm adaptation
  • Global warming
  • Operational network

Publisher's Copyright Statement

  • COPYRIGHT TERMS OF DEPOSITED POSTPRINT FILE: This version of the article has been accepted for publication, after peer review (when applicable) and is subject to Springer Nature’s AM terms of use, but is not the Version of Record and does not reflect post-acceptance improvements, or any corrections. The Version of Record is available online at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-025-06080-z.

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'How Firms Adapt to Rising Temperatures: Evidence from U.S. Establishments'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this