Environmental Accounting Practice and Financial Performance of Listed Aviation Firms in Nigeria

Abstract

Environmental accounting practices is a concept that has received attention in recent times especially after the world experienced the adverse effect of environmental abuse. It was however discovered that the discourse focused majorly on the manufacturing sector with little attention on another sensitive sector such as the aviation industry. This study, therefore, investigated the effect of environmental accounting practices on the financial performance of Nigerian aviation firms, with a specific focus on their environmental research and development, environmental pollution control policy, and environmental waste management. An ex-post facto research design was used in the study. The population comprised the five aviation firms listed on the Nigeria Exchange Group as of 31st December 2021. A census sampling technique was used which automatically made the five firms the sample size of the study. Data were obtained from secondary sources through the published annual reports of the firms covering the period of 2016 – 2021. Data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics and ordinary least squares (OLS) regression analysis. Findings revealed that environmental research and development, and environmental waste management had a negative and significant effect on return on assets; while environmental pollution control policy positively and significantly affect the return on assets of Nigeria aviation firms. The study concluded that environmental research and development, and environmental waste management could adversely affect financial performance if not well managed. It is recommended that the environmental management of firms should be given priority in order to maximize financial performance.