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The impact of rural digital economy development on agricultural carbon emissions: A study based on prefecture-level cities in China

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The influence of rural digital economy growth on agricultural carbon emissions is yet unknown as a new driver of rural development. This study uses Spatial Durbin and Mediation models to examine how rural digital economy development (RDED) affected agricultural carbon emissions (ACE) across 261 prefecture-level Chinese cities between 2018 and 2020. The paper also looks at how green innovation and agricultural mechanization (AME) affect agricultural carbon emissions. The results show that (1) RDED significantly increases ACE in localized areas but decreases ACE in neighboring areas. (2) At this stage, RDED increases ACE by increasing the level of AME; at the same time, although it promotes the level of green innovation, its small amount also leads to an increase in ACE. (3) The impact of RDED on ACE is more pronounced in western regions and regions with lower levels of digital infrastructure.

Source: Resources Conservation & Recycling Advances

DOI: 10.1016/j.rcradv.2025.200290

Authors: Yuxin Yang, Pingping Wang

Institutions: University of Wisconsin–Madison, China Agricultural University

Language: English

Topic: Digitalization and Economic Development in Agriculture

Subfield: Strategy and Management

Field: Business, Management and Accounting

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Climate action, Industry, innovation and infrastructure, Decent work and economic growth, Zero hunger

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,290