Does digital transformation of high-carbon emission enterprises promote green technological innovation quality? —The moderating role of executive green awareness and corporate social responsibility

High-carbon industries face immense pressure to achieve substantive green innovation. While digital transformation (DT) is a potential catalyst, its impact on the quality of green technological innovation (GTI) remains unclear. Using panel data from 291 Chinese A-share listed firms in high-carbon sectors, this study employs fixed-effects models to investigate whether DT promotes GTI quality. We further examine the moderating roles of executive green awareness (EGA) and corporate social responsibility (CSR), and the boundary condition of the emission trading scheme (ETS) policy. The fixed-effects models reveal that: (1) DT significantly improves GTI quality, with persistent effects. (2) EGA and CSR positively moderate this relationship, strengthening the link between DT and high-quality GTI. (3) Heterogeneity analysis shows DT’s effect is more significant among enterprises in ETS pilot regions and those with high carbon emissions. This study shifts the focus from innovation quantity to quality in a critical context. Its originality lies in revealing the synergistic effects of digital resources with internal governance (EGA) and strategic orientation (CSR), and providing novel evidence on ETS policy as a boundary condition for unlocking DT’s green potential. We conclude that DT’s effectiveness in driving quality green innovation is contingent on proactive green awareness, social responsibility, and supportive carbon pricing. These findings provide contextual insights into how policy-driven digital transformation interacts with environmental governance to enhance green innovation, offering actionable references for emerging economies undergoing similar low-carbon transitions.