Abstract: In the context of global climate change and intensified human activities, green river basin construction has become a critical approach to further coordinate the relationship between humans, water and nature, and promote socio-economic development characterized by low consumption, low pollution, low emissions, low ecological impact, and high quality. We review the background and current research progress of green river basin construction and clarify its fundamental concepts and connotations. Guided by objectives such as conserving water resources, reducing pollutant emissions, lowering carbon output, minimizing ecological impacts, protecting and restoring ecosystems, fostering green technological innovation, and advancing new quality productive forces, the main paths for current green river basin construction are identified, including water conservation and pollution reduction, clean-energy optimization and carbon reduction, habitat enhancement and ecological greening expansion, and digital-intelligent empowerment. Key scientific issues are also discussed, including interaction mechanisms and green feedback processes within human-water systems, as well as the green effects and synergistic regulation principles of different pathways. To address these problems, we propose the need to strengthen green technological innovation and advance research on policies and regulatory frameworks so as to support the sustainable development of green river basin. The relevant conclusions and recommendations can provide theoretical support for the construction of green river basin.