Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures: A Systematic Literature Review and Future Research Agenda
Abstract
We conduct a timely comprehensive review of the existing literature on Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). Our aim is to provide a synthesis and extension of the current literature as follows: (i) review theoretical (i.e., socio-political, economic-based, and market-based) perspectives employed by existing studies; (ii) critique methodological aspects and contextual design of past studies; and (iii) discuss empirical findings on the determinants and consequences of TCFD reporting. Consulting three authoritative databases of "Scopus", "Web of Science", and "Business Source Complete", we employ a three-stage systematic literature review (SLR) method with a PRISMA and content analysis strategy to review 230 papers published in 101 high-quality journals from 2016 to January 2025. Our findings are fourfold. First, the majority of the studies reviewed are descriptive in nature, with limited theoretical insights. Second, we find that existing studies are predominantly narrative reports in nature that focus on the extent of TCFD implementation. By contrast, empirical evidence on the determinants and consequences of TCFD reporting is rare. Third, the existing studies have focused on few developed countries, whilst crosscountry comparative studies remain limited. Finally, we outline a number of promising opportunities for future research.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Corporate Social Responsibility Reporting
Auditing
Earnings Management
Governance
Sustainable Finance and Green Bonds
Publication details
- Journal / source
- SSRN Electronic Journal
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Publication date
- 1 January 2026
- Document type
- Preprint