At 14:30 on the afternoon of December 19, 2025, the 51st seminar on "Frontiers of Digital Technology, Economics, and Finance: The Impacts of Extreme Weather and Biodiversity Risks on Corporate Financial Decisions" was successfully held in Room 408, South Wenquan Building. The keynote speaker was Assistant Professor Kiet Duong, currently affiliated with the University of York. The seminar was chaired by Professor Lü Yongbin, Vice Dean of the School of Finance at Zhongnan University of Economics and Law and Deputy Director of the Innovation Center for Digital Technology and Modern Finance. Over 30 faculty members and students from the School of Finance attended the event in person.

The seminar commenced with a brief opening speech by Professor Lü Yongbin. Assistant Professor Kiet Duong first highlighted that, against the backdrop of intensifying global climate change and rapid biodiversity loss, environmental risks have become a critical factor influencing corporate survival and development. A thorough exploration of their impact on corporate financial decision-making is of great significance for enhancing risk resilience and achieving sustainable development.

Next, Assistant Professor Kiet Duong systematically introduced the two core components of his research. The findings revealed that, regarding extreme weather risks and corporate financial decisions, firms affected by extreme weather tend to invest more in fixed assets and rely more on internal funding and asset leasing for financing. In terms of biodiversity risks, firms exposed to such risks significantly reduce short-term debt and shift toward long-term debt to mitigate the impact. The study also noted that factors such as firm size, geographic diversification of supply chains, and government contracts can effectively alleviate the negative effects of biodiversity risks on corporate financial decisions.

Subsequently, Assistant Professor Kiet Duong elaborated on the practical implications of studying the impact of extreme weather and biodiversity risks on corporate financial decisions. The research not only provides novel insights into asset allocation and financing strategies for firms facing environmental risks but also offers empirical evidence for governments and financial institutions in formulating supportive policies.

During the Q&A session, faculty and students engaged in in-depth discussions on research methodologies, data sample selection, and policy implementation pathways. Attendees unanimously agreed that the seminar deepened their understanding of corporate resource allocation and offered valuable references for firms adapting to climate change and adjusting financial strategies.

In closing, Professor Lü Yongbin expressed gratitude to Assistant Professor Kiet Duong for his insightful presentation and emphasized that corporate financial decision-making under environmental risks is a critical area of financial research. He pledged to further promote research and collaboration in this field. With this, the seminar concluded successfully.  The event served as an academic bridge for international exchange, introducing cutting-edge research perspectives and methodologies. Faculty and students expressed their commitment to leveraging this opportunity to draw on international research experience, delve deeper into the intersection of environmental and corporate finance, and contribute academic insights to advancing global corporate sustainability and high-quality economic development.

[Speaker Biography]

Kiet Duong is an Assistant Professor in Finance at School for Business and Society, University of York, United Kingdom. Prior to joining University of York in December 2021, he was a Lecturer in Accounting and Finance at the Huddersfield Business School, University of Huddersfield, United Kingdom. He holds an MSc in Finance and a PhD in Finance from the University of Essex. He has published papers in Journal of Corporate Finance, Journal of Economic Behavior＆Organization, Economics Letters, Energy Economics, Accounting and Business Research, etc. He has presented his work at the UK HM Treasury, and been invited to visit the Bank of Finland. His research areas include corporate finance, corporate governance, ESG, sustainability, etc.

Correspondence Student: Wang Yiting