Unlocking the ecological dividend of green innovation: the dual moderating effects of institutional constraints and structural enablers

Green technology innovation possesses the dual attributes of environmental protection and economic development, making it an important pathway for achieving the ‘dual carbon’ goals and supporting ecological civilisation construction and sustainable urban development. Using 2006–2021 data from 275 Chinese cities and a ‘Pressure-State-Response’ framework, this study finds green technology innovation significantly enhances urban ecological resilience, especially in resource-based, large, and Hu Huanyong Line-southeast cities. However, excessive intellectual property protection hinders green knowledge spillovers and collaboration, weakening ecological benefits. In contrast, industrial structure advancement amplifies the returns from green innovation. This research provides a theoretical basis and practical guidance for constructing a multi-level incentive system for green technology innovation and formulating ecological resilience enhancement strategies that adapt to diverse urban characteristics.