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Seeing green: How does digital infrastructure affect carbon emission intensity?

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  • Zhang, Weike
  • Fan, Hongxia
  • Zhao, Qiwei

Abstract

Digital infrastructure (DI) and low-carbon development play crucial roles in promoting the high-quality development of China's economy. This study investigates the impact of DI on urban carbon emission intensity (CEI) using data from prefecture-level cities spanning the period from 2011 to 2019 and updates some disparate conclusions of related studies. The findings demonstrate that DI can significantly reduce CEI, with a 1.9% decrease for every standard deviation increase in the level of DI development. Heterogeneity analysis reveals that the influence of DI is particularly pronounced in cities located north of Qinlin-Huaihe line, cities situated east of Hu-Huanyong line, as well as eastern and central cities, and resource-based cities. Moreover, mechanism analysis suggests that DI reduces urban CEI by facilitating industrial upgrading, diminishing resource dependence, and fostering green innovation. Additionally, this study identifies a negative spatial spillover effect of DI on CEI. These findings offer new insights into strategies for urban DI construction and carbon reduction, as well as theoretical approaches to achieving high-quality development in China.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhang, Weike & Fan, Hongxia & Zhao, Qiwei, 2023. "Seeing green: How does digital infrastructure affect carbon emission intensity?," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 127(PB).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:eneeco:v:127:y:2023:i:pb:s0140988323005832
    DOI: 10.1016/j.eneco.2023.107085
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