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How Big Data Affect Urban Low-Carbon Transformation—A Quasi-Natural Experiment from China

Author

Listed:
  • Ning Xu

    (School of Political Science and Public Administration, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China)

  • He Zhang

    (State Information Center, Beijing 100045, China)

  • Tixin Li

    (School of Economics and Management, Kunming University, Kunming 650214, China)

  • Xiao Ling

    (School of Business, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China)

  • Qian Shen

    (Finance Department, Guangdong University of Finance & Economics, Guangzhou 510320, China)

Abstract

As a new factor of production, data play a key role in driving low-carbon and sustainable development relying on the digital economy. However, previous studies have ignored this point. Based on the panel data of 283 cities in China from 2007 to 2019, we investigated the construction of national big data comprehensive pilot zones (NBDCPZs) in China as a quasi-natural experiment, using the difference-in-differences (DID) model to empirically test the impact of NBDCPZ policies on urban low-carbon transformation. The following conclusions can be drawn: NBDCPZ construction significantly promotes urban low-carbon transformation, and a series of robustness analysis supports this conclusion. NBDCPZ constructions mainly promotes urban low-carbon transformation by stimulating urban green innovation and optimizing the allocation of urban resource elements. Compared with eastern cities, small and medium-sized cities, and resource-based cities, the construction of NBDCPZs can promote the low-carbon transformation of cities in central and western China, large cities, and non-resource-based cities. Further analysis shows that the construction of NBDCPZs can only improve the low-carbon transformation of local cities, with negative spatial spillover effects on the low-carbon transformation of surrounding cities. Therefore, in the future, it is vital to consider the promotion effect of the construction of NBDCPZs on the low-carbon transformation of local cities and prevent its negative impact on the low-carbon transformation of surrounding cities.

Suggested Citation

  • Ning Xu & He Zhang & Tixin Li & Xiao Ling & Qian Shen, 2022. "How Big Data Affect Urban Low-Carbon Transformation—A Quasi-Natural Experiment from China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-16, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:23:p:16351-:d:995038
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    Cited by:

    1. Ziyu Meng & Wen-Bo Li & Chaofan Chen & Chenghua Guan, 2023. "Carbon Emission Reduction Effects of the Digital Economy: Mechanisms and Evidence from 282 Cities in China," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-21, March.
    2. Kunpeng Ai & Ning Xu, 2023. "Does Regional Integration Improve Carbon Emission Performance?—A Quasi-Natural Experiment on Regional Integration in the Yangtze River Economic Belt," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(20), pages 1-19, October.
    3. Yi Chen & Yinrong Chen & Kun Chen & Min Liu, 2023. "Research Progress and Hotspot Analysis of Residential Carbon Emissions Based on CiteSpace Software," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-19, January.

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