Corporate low carbon governance: examining the influence of female executive power on carbon performance in Chinese listed companies

s Corporations are the driving force behind economic expansion. They also bear the responsibility of facilitating industrial cluster development toward zero carbon emissions, green transformation, and green innovation. Female executives, as key advocates and practitioners of low-carbon development, have a significant impact on corporate carbon performance (CCP). This study explores the effects and pathways of female executive power (FEP) on CCP using a sample of 2057 Chinese corporations. The findings show that FEP positively affects CCP by promoting corporate digital transformation (CDT) and corporate green innovation (CGI). The influence of FEP on CCP is particularly noticeable in areas with inadequate government environmental regulation, low levels of marketization, and limited public environmental awareness. However, this impact is not significant in labor-intensive small and medium-sized corporations or state-owned corporations. Further analysis reveals that there is a non-linear link between FEP and CCP. The findings emphasize the significance of FEP in corporate carbon reduction targets. The study offers suggestions for Chinese corporations that pursue sustainable development and implement low-carbon production.