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Blessing or Curse? The Impact of Digital Technologies on Carbon Efficiency in the Agricultural Sector of China

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  • Yong Zhu

    (School of Business, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan 411201, China)

  • Xiongying Wang

    (School of Business, Hunan Women’s University, Changsha 410004, China)

  • Gong Zheng

    (Teaching and Research Department, Shanghai National Accounting Institute, Shanghai 201702, China)

Abstract

Digital technology can be used to adjust the structure of energy production, promote the development of new agricultural production technologies, and reduce carbon emissions. With the increasing integration of digital technology in various fields, rural development is also entering a critical period of digital transformation. Therefore, this paper uses digital technology and agricultural carbon emission intensity as research objects. We use panel data from 2011 to 2019. We first measure and analyse the level of digital technology development in China. This article empirically tests the impact between digital technology and the intensity of agricultural carbon emissions. Digital technology can be used to significantly suppress the intensity of agricultural carbon emissions. The suppressive effect is more significant in the western region of China than in the central and eastern regions.

Suggested Citation

  • Yong Zhu & Xiongying Wang & Gong Zheng, 2023. "Blessing or Curse? The Impact of Digital Technologies on Carbon Efficiency in the Agricultural Sector of China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(21), pages 1-12, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:21:p:15613-:d:1274015
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Xu, Ru-Yu & Wang, Ke-Liang & Miao, Zhuang, 2024. "The impact of digital technology innovation on green total-factor energy efficiency in China: Does economic development matter?," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 194(C).
    2. Weini Chen & Dejun Han & Yu Zhan & Bo Chen, 2025. "The Impact of Rural Population Decline on the Economic Efficiency of Agricultural Carbon Emissions: A Case Study of the Contiguous Karst Areas in Yunnan–Guizhou Provinces, China," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-25, May.
    3. Yuqian Zhang & Yixuan Wang & Chenchen Su & Jiahong Guo & Chen Xu, 2025. "Assessing the impact of China's National Big Data Comprehensive Pilot Zone policy on agricultural carbon emissions," Agricultural Economics, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 71(5), pages 242-253.
    4. Degui Yu & Ying Cao & Suyan Tian & Jiahao Cai & Xinzhuo Fang, 2025. "How Do Digitalization and Scale Influence Agricultural Carbon Emission Reduction: Evidence from Jiangsu, China," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-31, October.

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