Abstract: Green innovation is a key driver of sustainable, low-carbon development. This study analyzes a sample of listed Chinese companies from 2010 to 2018, utilizing complex network community segmentation techniques to construct networks of interlocking corporate directors. We empirically investigate whether peer effects within these networks influence corporate green innovation. Our findings indicate that green innovation is positively affected by peer firms within the same network community, an effect that intensifies under economic policy uncertainty. Further analysis reveals that peer effects are more pronounced in larger groups, in more competitive industries, and among firms with non-state ownership. Mechanistic tests suggest that these peer effects arise from diverse information learning and imitation behaviors within the network. Additionally, variations in green innovation peer effects are influenced by the directors’ green experience and international background. This research not only expands the theoretical understanding of factors driving corporate green innovation but also offers practical insights and evidence to support the promotion of green innovation in Chinese enterprises.

Key words: green innovation, peer effects, community structure, information learning, agent imitation