The Impact of ESG Performance on Green Technology Innovation: A Moderating Effect Based on Digital Transformation

Corporate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance has emerged as a critical focus of societal and academic interest. This study employs an empirical analysis utilizing a sample of Chinese A-share listed companies to investigate the relationship between ESG performance and green technology innovation. The results demonstrate that ESG performance significantly enhances green technology innovation, with digital transformation acting as a moderating variable in this relationship. Furthermore, the analysis reveals that corporate social responsibility performance and internal governance mechanisms exert a more substantial influence on green technology innovation compared to other ESG dimensions. Notably, the impact of ESG performance on green technology innovation is more pronounced among firms in non-polluting industries and those operating in regions characterized by higher levels of marketization.