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While the impact of financial liberalization on local economies and financial sectors has been extensively discussed, limited evidence exists regarding its effects on corporate environmental performance. We investigate the impact of financial liberalization on corporate environmental performance using a unique and comprehensive dataset that includes firm-level pollution emissions. The results indicate that the entry of foreign banks significantly enhances corporate environmental performance, as demonstrated by a reduction in SO2 emission intensity. These findings are robust and supported by various approaches. Mechanism analysis suggests that the entry of foreign banks can alleviate financing constraints and improve end-of-pipe governance. However, there is no evidence suggesting that enterprises reduce pollution emissions through technological upgrades. Further analysis reveals that private and foreign-owned firms experience more substantial environmental benefits compared to state-owned firms. Government actions significantly influence the emission reduction effects of foreign banks. Strengthening environmental goals by local governments enhances emission reduction effects; while, a weakening of these effects is observed when economic growth goals take precedence. This paper provides empirical evidence and policy insights for the continued expansion of financial liberalization, considering its environmental benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IntroductionThe food environment is an important factor in the efforts of countries worldwide to achieve a transition to sustainable food systems. The objective of this study is to formulate and prioritize actions to be addressed to the government of Burkina Faso for the creation of a healthy food environment, which will contribute to reducing malnutrition in all its forms and non-communicable diseases.MethodsNational experts were brought together to identify and prioritize actions to fill the gaps identified through a multi-step assessment process following the methodology of the Healthy Food and Environment Policy Index (Food-EPI).ResultsUp to 20 priority policy actions were recommended to the Burkina Faso government. Actions in the policy component focused mainly on regulation of food promotion and marketing, particularly to children, and others in the infrastructure support component focused largely on political leadership, i.e., strong and visible political support from the government to improve the food environment, population nutrition, diet-related non-communicable diseases and their inequalities.ConclusionThe priority actions to be recommended to the government will strengthen advocacy for government decisions to create a healthier food environment in the country.

Introduction: The food environment is an important factor in the efforts of countries worldwide to achieve a transition to sustainable food systems. The objective of this study is to formulate and prioritize actions to be addressed to the government of Burkina Faso for the creation of a healthy food environment, which will contribute to reducing malnutrition in all its forms and non-communicable diseases., Methods: National experts were brought together to identify and prioritize actions to fill the gaps identified through a multi-step assessment process following the methodology of the Healthy Food and Environment Policy Index (Food-EPI)., Results: Up to 20 priority policy actions were recommended to the Burkina Faso government. Actions in the policy component focused mainly on regulation of food promotion and marketing, particularly to children, and others in the infrastructure support component focused largely on political leadership, i.e., strong and visible political support from the government to improve the food environment, population nutrition, diet-related non-communicable diseases and their inequalities., Conclusion: The priority actions to be recommended to the government will strengthen advocacy for government decisions to create a healthier food environment in the country., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Tapsoba, Compaore, Zeba, Some, Manga, Diouf, Moubarac, Vandevijvere and Dicko.)