Exploring the Impact of Digital Economy on Carbon Emission Intensity: Empirical Analysis Based on Panel Data of Chinese Cities
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: China’s urban low-carbon transition requires clearer city-level evidence on whether and how digitalization mitigates carbon emission intensity. Using panel data for 288 Chinese prefecture-level and above cities from 2013 to 2022, this study constructs a multidimensional Digital Economy Index and measures carbon emission intensity using EDGAR emissions and GDP at constant 2013 prices. We employ two-way fixed effects, instrumental variables, System GMM, robustness checks, mediation analysis, heterogeneity tests, and a Spatial Durbin Model. The results show that digital economy development significantly reduces urban carbon emission intensity, and this conclusion remains robust across alternative measurements, lag specifications, sample adjustments, fixed-effect structures, and endogeneity corrections. Mechanism analysis indicates that industrial structure rationalization and upgrading are key transmission channels, whereas technological innovation may generate short-term adjustment costs consistent with a “green paradox.” The carbon-reduction effect is stronger in old industrial base cities, cities with weaker initial innovation foundations, and cities with lower initial population density. Spatial analysis shows that digitalization generates significant carbon-reduction spillovers under geographical proximity, while economic-linkage-based spillovers are more complex. These findings provide theoretical and policy implications for digitally enabled and regionally coordinated urban decarbonization.
Source: Sustainability
DOI: 10.3390/su18136726
Authors: Zhaohui Hao, Yashuo Liu
Institution: Hebei University
Language: English
Subfield: Economics and Econometrics
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,896
OpenAlex ID: W7167013786