In response to the fact that existing environmental performance evaluation methods are mostly based on the optimistic frontier constituted by efficient decision-making units, this study introduces the concept of double frontier evaluation into the directional SBM model, proposes a new double frontier directional SBM model considering undesirable output, and develops its super efficiency expression to improve the model's ability to distinguish decision-making units. This method evaluates environmental performance from both optimistic and pessimistic frontier perspectives, while simultaneously accounting for potential biases introduced by improvement directions and slacks, effectively strengthening the recognition of the evaluation results among all participants. On this basis, a global Malmquist index satisfying the circular test based on the double frontier directional SBM model is constructed to accurately measure the dynamic evolution of environmental performance across provinces in China from 2011 to 2021. The results indicate that China's green total factor productivity shows a fluctuating upward trend, with technological progress identified as the principal driver. Significant regional heterogeneity is observed in technological efficiency changes among different economic zones. This study is important for the continuous improvement of green total factor productivity in regions according to local conditions, as well as for the orderly advancement of the carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals.