Examining the drivers shaping corporate carbon performance in Bangladesh with energy efficiency as a mediator

In modern times, corporate carbon poses a critical challenge, hindering the achievement of environmental sustainability while maintaining economic growth. This study aims to investigate the roles of the Green Finance Index (GFI), Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM), and Fintech Adoption in Shaping Corporate Carbon Performance (CCP), with the mediating role of Energy Efficiency (EE) as a mediating variable, in emerging countries such as Bangladesh. Data was collected from employees of corporate firms using structured questionnaires via a non-probability purposive sampling technique. Valid responses from 407 respondents were analyzed using SPSS 25 and SmartPLS 4. The relationships were examined using Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings indicate that GFI encompasses Green Credit and Green Support, and that EE has a significant positive impact on CCP. Conversely, GSCM, encompassing Green Purchase, Green Logistics Management, and FA, exhibits no statistically significant direct effect on CCP. This study also found that EE partially mediates the relationship between GFI and CCP and fully mediates the relationship between FA and CCP. The research is original and novel for its comprehensive generational analysis of how the CCP is shaped in an emerging country context. The findings of this study provide valuable insights for firms and policymakers. Corporate firms should prioritize green finance and fintech-enabled solutions to fund and optimize energy-efficiency upgrades that reduce emissions. Policymakers and financial regulators should strengthen green credit mechanisms and refinance schemes while cultivating a regulatory framework that incentivizes fintech adoption and standardized energy reporting. Moreover, the study contributes to global sustainability objectives by aligning with SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).