Impact Mechanism and Effect Analysis of the Integration of Digital Economy and Real Economy on China’s Regional Low-Carbon Transitions
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: In the context of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality, this study addresses how the integration of digital economy and real economy (IDRE) influences regional low-carbon transitions (RLCT). Such exploration enhances the high-quality evolution of China’s economic landscape and contributes insights to the worldwide efforts against climate change and sustainable progress. Through the entropy method, this investigation develops a comprehensive index to evaluate IDRE using provincial panel data spanning 2011 to 2022. A coupling coordination degree (CCD) model is used to evaluate the integration levels across China’s 30 provinces (including municipalities and autonomous regions). Moreover, this research employs a bidirectional fixed effect model, a mediation effect model, a threshold model, and a spatial econometric model to empirically probe the effects and underlying mechanisms of IDRE on RLCT. The key findings are as follows: (a) IDRE significantly promotes RLCT, particularly in eastern regions; (b) IDRE facilitates RLCT by enhancing green technological innovation and advancing new urbanization, though it exhibits nonlinear characteristics such as rebound effects and diminishing returns; and (c) IDRE generates significant spatial spillover effects on RLCT. This study reveals how IDRE promotes RLCT through green technological innovation (GTI), new urbanization (NUR) pathways, and spatial spillover effect.
Source: SAGE Open
Authors: Yingjie Mi, Bing Zhou, Yufeng Li
Language: English
Subfield: Strategy and Management
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,600
OpenAlex ID: W4417356898