01 Nov 2024

New Faculty Profiles: Matteo Gasparini

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HBS faculty comprises scholars and practitioners who bring leading-edge research, extensive experience, and deep insights into the classroom, to organizations, and to leaders across the globe. We asked new faculty at HBS about their background, their new roles, and their interests.

Matteo Gasparini, visiting fellow, Institute for Business in Global Society

What’s your area of research and what led you to it?
I study the financial economics of sustainability and climate change. My focus is on three areas: 1) the asset pricing implications of climate change and the net zero carbon transition, 2) the effects of frictions created by financial regulations on the allocation of resources between carbon intensive/low carbon assets, and 3) the role of climate business alliances in fostering the green transition.

I started working on sustainability and climate change issues as a consultant at McKinsey. I realized that some of these issues needed more research, and I started my DPhil (PhD) at the University of Oxford.

Where are you from?
I am from a small town not far from Milan, in the North of Italy. I studied in Milan and then moved to Paris for my Msc in finance. I finally landed in London for my work and PhD, although I worked in various countries from Iceland to Cyprus. I visited HBS in spring term 2023, so I am looking forward to coming back to Cambridge!

What is something you like to do outside of your academic work?
Time outside of work has been rare in the past years. But when I have some, I enjoy running and walking in the amazing London parks. I also enjoy traveling: in the past years I visited Indonesia, Seychelles, and India, to mention some.

What’s your favorite book, movie, or piece of art?
My favorite book is Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari. It opened my mind to various sociological aspects that shape our lives without even noticing.

What will you be doing as a BIGS Fellow?
I will focus on two projects. The first project will study the role of climate business alliances with a focus on financial institutions (e.g., SBTi, Climate Action 100+). This research will study with an empirical analysis the economic and competitive effects of climate alliances. For example, are these initiatives positive for climate action? Or are they instead used by businesses for collusion?

The second research project will study the effects of financial regulations in investing in the net zero carbon transition. Financial regulations such as accounting frameworks and capital requirements shape economic incentives of banks. This research project will ask: Are financial regulations impairing the transition? Are financial regulations detrimental to the ability of banks to fund green investments?

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