This paper establishes a multi-objective optimization model based on an improved NSGA-II algorithm, aiming to study the carbon reduction technology path of specific enterprises in the steel industry under the background of China’s dual-carbon goal and fill the research gap in the carbon reduction technology path of steel enterprises, which has certain guiding significance for the realization of China’s dual-carbon goal and the low-carbon development of steel enterprises. Firstly, through the analysis of the list of extreme energy efficiency technologies in the steel industry and the main process flow of steel industry production, the multi-objective optimization model is constructed from the two objective dimensions of maximum CO₂ emission reduction and maximum enterprise economic benefit. Then the improved NSGA-II algorithm is used to solve the model. And the empirical analysis of a Hebei iron and steel enterprise, based on the technology application of enterprises before the release of the technology list, the technology path of enterprises to reduce carbon is predicted. The actual application data of the enterprise is used for verification and analysis, and suggestions on the technical path for the future low-carbon development of the enterprise are provided. The experimental results show that: (1) The optimal solution set of Pareto is consistent with the practical application of enterprises, and the constructed model is accurate and efficient, which can be used for the research of carbon reduction technology path. (2) When introducing technology, enterprises can give priority to the solution of common set technology based on their own needs.

To evaluate the efficiency of innovation development in China’s high-tech manufacturing industry, this paper constructs a two-stage dynamic network cross-efficiency model. This model divides innovation activities into two stages: technology research and development and achievement transformation and introduces a 2-year lag period in the technology research and development stage and a 1-year lag period in the achievement transformation stage. It proposes the overall efficiency and efficiency models for each stage. The model was applied to 30 provinces in China, and the results showed that most provinces have achieved relatively ideal results in the overall efficiency and achievement transformation stage of high-tech manufacturing, while the efficiency in the technology research and development stage is generally lower than that in the achievement transformation stage. It is recommended that enterprises increase their R&D investments, break through technological barriers, and optimize the innovation chain.

To evaluate the effectiveness of the low-carbon innovation development of enterprises, this paper proposes a neutral dynamic network cross-efficiency model and introduces the bootstrap sampling method to correct the model. The model categorizes the low-carbon green innovation R&D activities of enterprises into two distinct stages, as follows: the green R&D stage and the results transformation stage. It then assesses the efficiency of each stage and provides an overall efficiency rating. The model has been applied to a sample of listed Chinese iron and steel enterprises (CISES). The results of the study show that the overall efficiency of low-carbon innovation and development of CISES is on the low side, with the highest efficiency achieved in the green R&D stage, which is less than the lowest efficiency attained in the transformation stage, and most of the enterprises are in the stage of high green R&D and low transformation of the results. The ability of marketization of the R&D results still needs to be strengthened.