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The Path to Green Cities: Digital Infrastructure Construction and Urban Ecological Efficiency

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: With the emergence of carbon neutrality and peak carbon emissions goals, coupled with the rapid expansion of the digital economy, digital technologies have a significant impact on environmental governance. This study, based on panel data from 247 Chinese cities spanning 2007 to 2021, employs multi-period DID and SDM to examine the impact of digital infrastructure on urban ecological efficiency. Findings indicate a positive relationship between digital infrastructure and urban ecological efficiency, consistent across various robustness tests. Resource-based cities in both the eastern and western regions, as well as those implementing pilot policies, benefit more from digital infrastructure. The study identifies three main channels through which digital infrastructure affects ecological efficiency: promoting green innovation, supporting information platforms, and upgrading industrial structures. Additionally, it notes a negative spatial spillover effect on neighboring cities’ ecological efficiency. By integrating digital infrastructure and urban ecological efficiency, this study offers insights into their spatial dynamics, informing future research and policy implementation in this area.

Source: Polish Journal of Environmental Studies

DOI: 10.15244/pjoes/190003

Authors: Chenguang Wang, Wei Lu, Xukang Yin, Weixin Wang, Miao Miao

Institutions: Zhejiang Gongshang University, Zhejiang Business College, ZheJiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences

Language: English

Topic: Energy, Environment, Economic Growth

Subfield: Economics and Econometrics

Field: Economics, Econometrics and Finance

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Industry, innovation and infrastructure, Sustainable cities and communities, Climate action

Open Access status: diamond

Funder: National Office for Philosophy and Social Sciences