Green total factor productivity (GTFP) is a key metric in assessing the high-quality development of the economy. The authors investigate the configuration pathways by which GTFP can be enhanced. The researchers used data from 30 provinces and municipalities in China (excluding Tibet, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan) as case studies. This study demonstrates that GTFP is influenced by six factors, such as regional innovation ability and digital financial development. These factors contribute to three configuration pathways for achieving high GTFP: innovation market-oriented, economic growth-oriented, and integrated synergistic pathways. Meanwhile, there is consistency and substitutability between some factors. The innovation of this paper lies in the introduction of the fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) method into the research on GTFP. It can enrich the theoretical research in the field of GTFP and provide valuable reference and pathway options for improving GTFP in China and other countries with similar economic development patterns.