International Journal of Education, Science and Social Sciences

Original Articles

Vol. 5 No. 1 (2026)

The Relationship Between Environmental Protection and Sustainable Corporate Social Responsibility: Evidence from Equity Bank Limited

Published
2026-05-22

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between environmental protection and sustainable corporate social responsibility within Equity Bank Limited. The study was guided by the need to understand how environmental management practices influence CSR sustainability outcomes in the banking sector. A descriptive correlational case study design was adopted. Data were collected from 212 valid responses drawn from a sample of 250 employees across selected branches in Busia and Kakamega Counties. The study applied structured questionnaires measured on a five-point Likert scale, supported by pilot testing to improve reliability and validity. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and simple linear regression using SPSS version 28. The findings revealed that environmental protection practices are positively perceived among employees, with an aggregate mean score of 3.74. Correlation analysis indicated a moderate positive relationship between environmental protection and corporate sustainability (r = 0.478, p < 0.01). Regression results showed that environmental protection significantly predicted corporate sustainability (β = 0.478, p < 0.001), explaining 22.8% of the variation in sustainable CSR outcomes. The study concludes that environmental protection plays a significant role in strengthening sustainable CSR performance in banking institutions. It recommends enhanced promotion of green financing products, expanded renewable energy adoption, and improved internal communication on environmental initiatives. The findings contribute to CSR and sustainability literature by providing empirical evidence from a Kenyan banking context.

References

  1. Abad-Segura, E., Cortés-García, F. J., & Belmonte-Ureña, L. J. (2019). The sustainable approach to corporate social responsibility: A global analysis and future trends. Sustainability, 11(19), 5382.
  2. Adu, G., Marfo-Yiadom, E., & Osei, M. (2024). Does corporate sustainability practices of banks in Ghana influence their performance? Academy of Banking Studies Journal, 24(2), Article 17592. https://www.abacademies.org/articles/does-corporate-sustainability-practices-of-banks-in-ghana-influence-their-performance-17592.html
  3. Appiah, E., Tebepah, S. F., & Eburunobi, E. O. (2024). Green banking practices and green financing of listed deposit money banks in Nigeria. British Journal of Multidisciplinary and Advanced Studies, 5(1), 41–73. https://doi.org/10.37745/bjmas.2022.0301
  4. Burritt, R. L., Christ, K. L., Rammal, H. G., & Schaltegger, S. (2020). Multinational enterprise strategies for addressing sustainability: The need for consolidation. Journal of Business Ethics, 164(2), 389-410
  5. Chen, J., Siddik, A. B., Zheng, G. W., Masukujjaman, M., & Bekhzod, S. (2022). The effect of green banking practices on banks' environmental performance and green financing: An empirical study. Energies, 15(4), 1292. https://doi.org/10.3390/en15041292
  6. Dubey, U. K. B., & Kothari, D. P. (2022). Research methodology: Techniques and trends. Chapman and Hall/CRC.
  7. Dziuron, C. L., & Halaszovich, T. F. (2025). CSR in domestic and foreign SMEs in Kenya: on the relationship between the SME manager’s values, emotional commitment to long-term socio-economic development and the firm's CSR practices. International Journal of Emerging Markets, 20(4), 1393-1414.
  8. Fatima, T., & Elbanna, S. (2023). Corporate social responsibility (CSR) implementation: A review and a research agenda towards an integrative framework. Journal of business ethics, 183(1), 105-121.
  9. Fosu, F., Akyina, N., & Asiedu, D. (2024). Do environmental CSR practices promote corporate social performance? The mediating role of green innovation and corporate image. Cleaner and Responsible Consumption, 12, Article 100155. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clrc.2023.100155
  10. Freeman, R. E. (1984). Strategic management: A stokcholder approach. Boston, MA: Pitman.
  11. Gatauwa, J. M., Aluoch, M. O., & Adhinga, D. C. (2024). Sustainability investments and financial performance of
  12. commercial banks in Kenya. International Academic Journal of Economics and Finance, 5(1), 311–335. https://www.iajournals.org/articles/iajef_v5_i1_311_335.pdf
  13. Gazi, M. A. I., Al Masud, A., bin Kabir, S., Chaity, N. S., bin Senathirajah, A. R. S., & Rahman, M. K. H. (2024). Impact of green banking practices on green CSR and sustainability in private commercial banks: The mediating role of green financing activities. Journal of Sustainability Research, 6(4). https://doi.org/10.20900/jsr20240047
  14. Hair, J. F., Risher, J. J., Sarstedt, M., & Ringle, C. M. (2019). When to use and how to report the results of PLS-SEM. European business review, 31(1), 2-24.
  15. Jebichii, J., Kosgei, N. C., & Bor, G. A. (2025). Effects of Economic Responsibility on Organizational Performance: A Study of Tier-One Commercial Banks in Kenya. Journal of Frontiers in Humanities and Social Sciences, 3(3), 1-15.
  16. Kinyua, S. M. (2023). Corporate social responsibility and financial performance of Tier 1 commercial banks in Kenya [Unpublished master's thesis, Kenyatta University]. Kenyatta University Repository. https://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/bitstreams/bb16c5a7-6ab4-4cbe-9d78-216cc5e4ce5c/download
  17. Kumar, J., Rani, G., Rani, M., Rani, V., & Gulzar, R. (2024). Measuring the impact of green banking practices on banks' environmental performance and sources of green financing: A study on Indian banks. Discover Sustainability, 5, Article 78. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-024-00678-5
  18. Lara-Pérez, J. A., Aguilera-Tovar, A., & Hernandez-Rodriguez, A. (2023). Sustainable strategies and firm performance in manufacturing industry of Coahuila, Mexico. Academia Revista Latinoamericana de Administración, 36(4), 608-624.
  19. Makori, I. K., & Juma, D. (2025). Corporate social responsibility and competitive advantage in commercial banks in Nairobi County, Kenya. Journal of Economics, Management Sciences and Procurement, 4(1), 36–49. https://www.jemspro.org/index.php/pages/article/download/46/55
  20. Njoroge, S. D., & Wanyoike, D. M. (2025). Corporate social responsibility strategies and performance of microfinance banks in Nairobi County, Kenya. Research Publish. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15357131
  21. Ovadje, F. (2018). The challenge of institutionalizing organizational renewal: A case study of Equity Bank. In Routledge Handbook of Organizational Change in Africa (pp. 245-267). Routledge.
  22. Rahma, & Wedari. (2024). Green banking and bank performance in ASEAN. Journal of Logistics, Informatics and Service Science, 11(9), 162–181. https://doi.org/10.33168/JLISS.2024.0911
  23. Serafeim, G. (2013). The role of the corporation in society: An alternative view and opportunities for future research. SSRN Electronic Journal 12(7):1–27.
Copyright © 2024 All rights reserved by International Journal of Education, Science and Social Sciences
ijessonline.com