<p>This study investigates how automated monitoring technology influences corporate environmental behavior, addressing a critical gap in the literature that has traditionally emphasized environmental regulations while overlooking hardware-based pollution monitoring strategies. Using the 2011 automated monitoring program in China for key polluting enterprises as a quasi-natural experiment, we explore the extent to which this technology fosters corporate sustainability. Our findings suggest that the persistent pressure exerted by automated monitoring encourages firms to adopt more environmentally responsible practices. These positive effects are especially evident in firms holding ISO certification and those with weaker internal controls, pointing to heterogeneous responses based on organizational characteristics. By demonstrating how automated monitoring expands environmental data availability and strengthens regulatory enforcement, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of regulatory effectiveness. It also offers insights into how technological infrastructure can translate environmental information into tangible green productivity, enriching the broader discourse on environmental governance and innovation.</p>