The rapid development of the modern economy has caused resource depletion and environmental pollution, drawing increasing attention to sustainability. Green innovation (GI) is widely recognized as a key strategy for improving environmental performance (EP), yet its macro-level mechanisms remain underexplored. To address this gap, this study conducts a bibliometric analysis using data from the Web of Science Core Collection to explore the relationship between GI and EP. From an initial 590 articles, 200 high-quality articles were selected following PRISMA guidelines. CiteSpace and VOSviewer were employed to visualize research networks and thematic evolution. Results show an accelerating publication trend since 2023, with China, Pakistan, and Malaysia leading in output. Key journals include the Journal of Cleaner Production, Sustainability, and Environmental Science and Pollution Research. Four core research areas were identified: EP, financial outcomes, GI, and sustainability. Recent trends reflect a shift from firm-level studies to institutional factors such as policy and green leadership. Findings highlight limited international collaboration, an evolving theoretical focus from resource-based views to external institutional factors, and rising interest in leadership-driven GI strategies. This study provides practical insights for researchers, policymakers, and business leaders, supporting informed decision-making in environmental governance and corporate strategy. However, limitations such as restricted data sources suggest the need for broader future studies.
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