Abstract <p>This study explores the coordination level of multi-actor environmental governance (CLMAEG), focusing on marketization, technological innovation, and corruption as key influencing factors. Given China’s rapid industrialization and complex governance landscape, the need for effective multi-actor collaboration in environmental governance is critical for sustainable development. This study developed an assessment index system using the entropy weight method and coupling coordination model to evaluate CLMAEG across Chinese provinces from 2009 to 2018. Through a benchmark regression model and a panel threshold model, this study assesses the impacts of marketization, technological innovation, and corruption on CLMAEG. Findings indicate a positive impact of marketization (<i>α</i> = 0.493, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.01) and technological innovation (<i>α</i> = 0.381, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.01) on CLMAEG, while corruption demonstrates a moderate negative impact (<i>α</i> =  − 0.032, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.1). Technological innovation serves as a moderator, enhancing the positive impacts of marketization and mitigating the negative effects of corruption. Based on these findings, key policy recommendations include further developing market-based environmental governance mechanisms with third-party oversight, promoting technological innovation to enhance public and corporate participation, and implementing anti-corruption measures to improve governance transparency. These actionable insights are crucial for improving the effectiveness of multi-actor environmental governance and advancing sustainable development goals.</p> Graphical abstract <p></p>