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Open government data and green economic growth

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  • Jing, Li
  • Tianshu, Quan
  • Qing, Han

Abstract

Open government data (OGD), as an innovative application of digital technology, has had a profound impact on China's green development path due to its technology diffusion properties. Based on panel data from 286 cities in China from 2008 to 2022, we use the policy impact launched by local government public data open platforms to empirically test the role of OGD in promoting green economic growth through differences-in-differences model. Our research findings indicate that OGD can promote green economic growth, especially in the eastern and western regions of China, resource-based cities, and cities with higher levels of air pollution. Mechanism analysis shows that OGD promotes green economic growth by improving energy efficiency, upgrading industrial structure, and promoting green technology innovation. Furthermore, OGD has spatial spillover effects on green economic growth, and the spatial economic matrix captures more spillover effects. Our findings provide a quantitative assessment of the economic and environmental impacts of OGD, offering significant implications for accelerating the construction of data resource systems, unleashing the potential of data elements, and propelling high-quality economic development.

Suggested Citation

  • Jing, Li & Tianshu, Quan & Qing, Han, 2025. "Open government data and green economic growth," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 85(C), pages 2207-2218.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecanpo:v:85:y:2025:i:c:p:2207-2218
    DOI: 10.1016/j.eap.2025.03.013
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