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The Impact of the Digital Economy on Carbon Emission Levels and Its Coupling Relationships: Empirical Evidence from China

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  • Sheyun Li

    (School of Marxism, Hunan University of Information Technology, Changsha 410151, China)

  • Yifan Tang

    (School of Economics, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China)

Abstract

The development of the digital economy has injected new vitality into the global economy, but the environmental issues it raises cannot be ignored. This paper analyzes the impact of the digital economy on carbon emission levels and their coupling relationships using panel data from 30 provinces, cities, and autonomous regions in mainland China from 2013 to 2021. By employing the coupling coordination degree model and the PVAR model, the study finds that the digital economy in mainland China has shown an upward trend, while carbon emission levels have exhibited a downward trend. The coupling degree between the digital economy and carbon emission levels is relatively good, though the coupling coordination degree is still in its early stages, indicating significant room for development. The digital economy has achieved a positive cumulative effect and can promote itself, and it has a significant negative impact on carbon emission levels.

Suggested Citation

  • Sheyun Li & Yifan Tang, 2024. "The Impact of the Digital Economy on Carbon Emission Levels and Its Coupling Relationships: Empirical Evidence from China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-22, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:13:p:5612-:d:1426306
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    Cited by:

    1. Yaping Zhu & Qingwei Xu & Chutong Hao & Shuaishuai Geng & Bingjun Li, 2025. "Synergistic Evolution or Competitive Disruption? Analysing the Dynamic Interaction Between Digital and Real Economies in Henan, China, Based on Panel Data," Data, MDPI, vol. 10(8), pages 1-37, August.
    2. Subhra Mondal & Subhankar Das & Vasiliki G. Vrana, 2024. "Exploring the Role of Artificial Intelligence in Achieving a Net Zero Carbon Economy in Emerging Economies: A Combination of PLS-SEM and fsQCA Approaches to Digital Inclusion and Climate Resilience," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-35, November.

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