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Energy transition policy and Chinese rural revitalization: The roles of industrial upgrading and digital economy

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  • Zhang, Yulai
  • Pi, Luxueting
  • Chen, Yican
  • Shi, Rui

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of China's energy transition policy on rural revitalization, emphasizing the mediating role of industrial upgrading and the moderating influence of the digital economy. The research examines how new energy pilot city policies contribute to rural economic development, social welfare, and environmental sustainability. The results show that industrial upgrading plays a significant mediating role in linking energy policies to rural revitalization, while the digital economy strengthens this effect, highlighting the importance of digital infrastructure and literacy. The heterogeneity analysis reveals that these impacts vary across regions, with developed areas benefiting more significantly due to stronger economic foundations and digital readiness, while less developed regions face greater challenges. The findings provide actionable insights for policymakers and stakeholders, advocating for tailored and integrated strategies that combine energy transition, industrial upgrading, and digital technologies to promote sustainable rural development across diverse regional contexts.

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  • Zhang, Yulai & Pi, Luxueting & Chen, Yican & Shi, Rui, 2024. "Energy transition policy and Chinese rural revitalization: The roles of industrial upgrading and digital economy," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 69(PA).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:finlet:v:69:y:2024:i:pa:s1544612324011292
    DOI: 10.1016/j.frl.2024.106100
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    1. Zhixing Li & Zeyu Xing & Huijuan Xia & Yi Yang & Yifeng Jiang, 2025. "Bridging Digital Divides: An Empirical Analysis of the Digital Economy’s Impact on Sustainable Prosperity," SAGE Open, , vol. 15(3), pages 21582440251, August.
    2. Rong Fu & Xiujun Tai, 2025. "The Impact of Higher Education Scale on Green Innovation Capacity: The Role of Industrial Structure Upgrading and Financial Development," SAGE Open, , vol. 15(3), pages 21582440251, September.
    3. Zhang, Yi & Wu, Rui & Zhou, Ping, 2025. "Ecological resilience, rural revitalization, and the green transformation of agricultural enterprises," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 86(PE).
    4. Zhiguang Hu, 2025. "How digital economy and green and low carbon policies affect non-agricultural employment?—Evidence from China," Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 12(1), pages 1-15, December.
    5. Junxin Shen & Huizi Zhao & Fanghao Xiao, 2025. "Empowerment and Pathways of Digital Economy in Rural Revitalization: A Case Study of Low Urbanization Areas in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-26, March.
    6. Yang, Heng & Ma, Guimin & Tan, Bo, 2025. "The impact of higher education revitalisation on regional innovation capability," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 75(C).
    7. Ge Jiang & Guilin Dai, 2025. "Low-Carbon Transformation and Common Prosperity: An Analysis of the “Inverted U-Shaped” Relationship," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-25, June.
    8. Li, Xinheng & Zhong, Yixuan & Fu, Tao, 2024. "Financial support from children and older household cooking energy use in rural China," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 313(C).
    9. Tan, Xianjiao & Kamaruddin, Roslina Binti & Hu, Siyang & Peng, Lishun & Que, Youxiong & Cai, Wenwei, 2025. "Rural revitalization and urban-rural income gap: A perspective from land transfer scale," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 83(C).
    10. Ruiqiang Zheng & Huang Huang, 2024. "An Empirical Study on the Digital Economy, Fiscal Policy, and Regional Sustainable Development—Based on Data from Less Developed Regions in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-18, November.
    11. Xiaoying Ren & Guobing Ruan & Yimeng Han & Dingding Zhang & Yaqi Wei & Yongzhong Feng, 2025. "Rural Industry Integration in Yan’an City: Development Trends, Driving Factors, and Regional Stratification," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-21, February.

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