QUEEN’S BUSINESS SCHOOL FINANCE SEMINAR SERIES

Wednesday 15^th October

1pm

“How does corporate employment respond to biodiversity risk?”

Abstract

This paper examines the impact of biodiversity transition risk on labor demand and supply. Using the establishment of the Key Biodiversity Areas (KBA) Standard, which provides the first global scientific benchmark to identify key biodiversity sites, as an exogenous shock to biodiversity transition risk, we examine whether firms and their workforce reallocate away from regions affected by these conservation efforts. We find that firms reduce hiring and increase layoffs, particularly of on-site jobs, in regions at risk of being designated key biodiversity areas. There is little evidence that workers voluntarily leave exposed areas. Our paper contributes to the ongoing debate about the costs and benefits of biodiversity conservation policies and their implication for labor market outcomes

Professor John O.S. Wilson

University of St Andrews

QBS Conference Hub, Seminar Room 01.012