This paper aims to: a) analyse the environmental disclosure practice in the Serbian banking sector, b) determine whether the degree of disclosure is higher in the case of big, i.e. systemically important banks, and c) examine if there is a positive relationship between the banks' CSR practice and their financial performance. The environmental disclosure index (EDI) based on 15 variables was employed to measure environmental disclosure performance for the Serbian banking industry. The data were generated through content analysis of the annual and sustainability reports of a total of 10 banks, five of which were classified as systemically important banks for the period 2015-2019. The sample was determined by the availability of reports for the analysed period and the bank establishment year. The results show that the majority of Serbian banks discloses their environmental policy (74%), the undertaken environmental activities with the local community (51%), and the utilization efficiency of water, energy, and paper (48%). Although the findings indicate that the environmental disclosure practice among all banks in Serbia is growing, the reports are not standardized. In addition, the systemically important banks in Serbia do not have a better disclosure practice. The econometric analysis implies that the bank's status does not influence the level of environmental disclosure and that there is no positive relationship between financial performance (ROA and ROE) and EDI. This study has implications for policymakers and accounting bodies in Serbia in standardizing non-financial reporting and creating certain green and sustainable banking guidelines.
The microstructural characterization and adsorption properties of metakaolin
(MK) and alkali-activated metakaolin, known as geopolymer materials (GP) were
investigated. The structure and properties of the metakaolin and obtained
geopolymer were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron
microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy.
Furthermore, based on the analysis of adsorption efficiency, microstructure
and mineral structure, the difference between geopolymer and metakaolin on
the performance of immobilizing heavy metals have been discussed. The
kinetics of adsorption can be represented by pseudo-second order equation.
The results of lead ions adsorption experiments were best fitted by
Freundlich adsorption isotherm for both investigated adsorbents. The highest
removal efficiencies of alkali-activated material based on metakaolin was
found 97.5% at pH 4 and metakaolin removal efficiencies was found 92% at pH
5.5.
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