Drawing upon institutional theory and resource dependence theory, this study selects data from A-share listed manufacturing firms in Shanghai and Shenzhen spanning 2011 to 2022. Utilizing a difference-in-differences methodology, it investigates the impact and underlying mechanisms through which the National Big Data Comprehensive Pilot Zone (NBDCPZ)—a policy not explicitly targeted at carbon reduction or emission abatement—affects corporate carbon performance. The findings reveal that the NBDCPZ significantly enhances enterprises’ carbon performance, a conclusion that remains robust after a series of sensitivity analyses. Mechanism analysis indicates that the NBDCPZ improves corporate carbon performance through digital driving, green innovation, and the strengthening of human and financial capital security. Additionally, heterogeneity analysis demonstrates that the facilitating effects of the NBDCPZ on carbon performance are more pronounced in industries with higher pollution levels, regions with stricter environmental regulations, firms led by executives with elevated green awareness, areas characterized by stronger governmental governance, higher media attention, and heightened public environmental concern.