Green Finance Policies for Mitigating Energy Accessibility Inadequacies in China: Empirical Insights From a Supply Chain Management Perspective

Green‐finance policies are increasingly recognized as catalysts for low-carbon growth and improved living standards. Adopting a supply-chain perspective, this study applies a difference-in-differences framework to evaluate China’s Green Finance Reform and Innovation Pilot Zones (GFRP) and their effectiveness in mitigating energy accessibility inadequacies (EAI). Using provincial data for 2000–2022 and a newly developed multidimensional EAI index, we find that GFRP reduce EAI by 6.7 % in pilot provinces relative to nonpilot regions; the effect is robust to multiple placebo and sensitivity checks. Mediation analysis reveals two transmission channels—expanded energy networks and greater regional economic diversification—through which GFRP improve accessibility. Spatial Durbin estimates further show positive spillovers to neighboring provinces, indicating that GFRP foster broader energy equilibrium and sustainable development. These results underscore GFRP’s strategic value for integrating environmental and economic objectives and advancing the transition to a low-carbon economy. The study provides actionable insights for policymakers seeking to design and scale green-finance instruments that deliver equitable energy access and long-term sustainability.