THE IMPACT OF FINTECH AND CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY ON GREEN INNOVATION AND GREEN FINANCE: A THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVE FROM PAKISTAN'S BANKING INDUSTRY

Abstract

The contemporary banking landscape is defined by an irreversible paradigm shift where digital innovation and environmental stewardship converge to redefine institutional value. This paper provides a strategic examination of the nexus between Fintech Adoption (FA), Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Green Finance (GF), and Environmental Sustainability Performance (ESP). Grounded in the Stakeholder Theory, this analysis elucidates how Fintech serves as a foundational engine for both financial and environmental outcomes. Utilizing insights derived from sophisticated Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and Necessary Condition Analysis (A), we demonstrate that Fintech adoption is the primary moderator enhancing the effectiveness of Green Finance. Furthermore, the findings reveal that while CSR is essential for legitimacy, its direct impact on financial performance is often insignificant without the mediating role of green financial products. This perspective offers a roadmap for policymakers and industry practitioners in emerging economies, specifically Pakistan, to navigate the transition toward a low-carbon, digitally resilient financial architecture.