PurposeDeveloping and maintaining green innovation (GI) and environmental performance (EP) has become a significant challenge for every organization. The present paper attempts to confirm the contributions of technology leadership (TL) and green HRM (GHRM) to green work engagement (GWE), GI and EP. The study also recognizes GWE’s contribution to connecting TL, GHRM, GI and EP.Design/methodology/approachThe study applies a deductive approach where data are gathered through questionnaires from employees of manufacturing firms in Egypt. Consequently, the study utilizes 312 cases to draw its conclusions.FindingsWith regard to analysis, the researcher used path analysis through AMOS and established a positive effect of TL on GI and EP but a negative on GWE. GHRM has been confirmed to predict GWE, GI and EP positively. Furthermore, GWE positively influences GI and EP among the employees of manufacturing firms in Egypt. The indirect paths establish a significant contribution of GWE in developing the links between TL and EP, GHRM, GI and EP. On the other hand, it negatively affects the link between TL and GI.Practical implicationsThe study assists employers in setting green goals for their employees by offering the required knowledge, skills and training for green environmental management. The study also benefits employees’ workplace green behaviors in performance appraisals and promotions.Originality/valueThe study’s originality assists in overcoming the remaining gaps in the literature by enriching the penetration of the literature from a developing context.