Introduction

This chapter introduces the monograph’s research on China’s green transformation under its “dual-carbon” goals. It establishes financial innovation (e.g., green finance) and technological empowerment (e.g., AI) as key drivers. The book is structured in three parts: an urban-level analysis of energy efficiency and carbon intensity; an enterprise-level investigation into ESG performance and innovation; and a concluding section synthesizing integrated policy recommendations. By defining core concepts and presenting this framework, the chapter highlights the work’s value in bridging academic research with practical strategies for low-carbon governance.