Middle-income countries are rushing to stake their claim in the booming green economy, but the real prize lies in moving beyond simply “joining” global value chains to actually upgrading within them. Solar, wind, and bioenergy projects are opening doors, yet lasting gains come only when governments blend demand incentives, supply support, and technology policies in the right mix. The message is clear: seizing green windows of opportunity isn’t automatic. Instead, it takes bold, well-crafted industrial strategies to turn participation into real power. Citation: Lema, R., Rabellotti, R. & Ambrogi, J. (2025). Seizing windows of opportunity in green global value chains: the role of industrial policies in middle-income countries. Journal of International Business Policy. https://doi.org/10.1057/s42214-025-00219-5