Banking transition claims and their verification: credibility challenges in sustainable finance
Environment Systems and Decisions, cilt.46, sa.3, 2026 (ESCI, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 46 Sayı: 3
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1007/s10669-026-10123-9
- Dergi Adı: Environment Systems and Decisions
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), Scopus, ABI/INFORM, BIOSIS, Environment Index, Geobase, Greenfile, Zoological Record, Natural Science Collection (ProQuest), Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO), Materials Science & Engineering Collection (ProQuest), Pharma Collection (ProQuest), Technology Collection (ProQuest)
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Banking transition credibility, Sustainable finance, ESG assurance, Greenwashing, Climate risk governance
- Atatürk Üniversitesi Adresli: Hayır
Özet
This article synthesizes the academic literature on the credibility of sustainability, ESG, climate, and net-zero claims made by banking institutions, with particular attention to whether prior research links these claims to observable financing conduct, loan-book exposure, governance arrangements, and risk-management practices. Using a scoping-review design with theory-based synthesis, the study applies Population–Concept–Context logic and PRISMA-ScR-informed reporting to map how claim–conduct alignment has been conceptualized, examined, and verified. Systematic searches of Scopus and Web of Science produced a final sample of 70 peer-reviewed studies. The synthesis does not support the general conclusion that all banking sustainability claims are symbolic. Instead, it identifies three recurring evidence patterns: disclosure–practice disconnect, partial or substantive alignment in lending and risk management, and mixed alignment in which climate or ESG information is acknowledged but only weakly translated into portfolio steering or borrower discipline. Credibility is strongest when claims are linked to pricing, covenants, credit allocation, financed-emissions measurement, client transition assessment, board oversight, and external assurance. The article contributes by developing a conduct-based interpretation of banking transition credibility and proposing a provisional Bank Transition Credibility Assurance System for future empirical calibration, supervisory testing, and assurance practice.