The Challenges of Aligning Green Finance with SMEs under the Dual Carbon Goals and the Resolving Role of Supply Chain Finance

Abstract

In the context of global initiatives to address climate change and advance the agenda of sustainable development, the “carbon neutrality” objective is exerting a profound impact on socio-economic transitions. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), as a vital component of the national economy, play a pivotal role in the realization of the “dual carbon” goals. This paper examines the integration of green finance and supply chain finance as a mechanism for enhancing SME ESG performance and drive sustainable development by alleviating financing constraints and optimizing resource allocation. It analyzes the current development status and inherent challenges within the green finance system, outlines the structural barriers that SMEs face in green transformation, and constructs a theoretical framework for how supply chain finance impacts SME ESG performance. The study concludes that by leveraging the credit strength of core enterprises, mitigating information asymmetry, and enhancing supply chain coordination efficiency, supply chain finance can effectively channel green capital to SMEs and systematically elevate their ESG standards across environmental, social, and governance dimensions.