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Impact of Big Data on Carbon Emissions: Empirical Evidence from China’s National Big Data Comprehensive Pilot Zone

Author

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  • Yali Liu

    (School of Economics, Capital University of Economics and Business, Beijing 100070, China)

  • Zhi Li

    (School of Economics, Capital University of Economics and Business, Beijing 100070, China)

  • Haonan Chen

    (School of Economics, Capital University of Economics and Business, Beijing 100070, China)

  • Xiaoning Cui

    (School of International Business, Beijing Foreign Studies University, Beijing 100086, China)

Abstract

Big data is a pivotal factor in propelling the digital economy forward and emerges as a novel driver in realizing the goals of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality. This study focuses on a quasi-natural experiment, namely national big data comprehensive pilot zones (NBD-CPZs), and employs a multi-period difference-in-differences (DID) model to identify the influence of big data on carbon emissions. The findings of this study are as follows. Overall, big data significantly reduces carbon emissions within the pilot zones. Mechanism analysis shows that big data reduces urban carbon emissions by promoting green innovation, optimizing energy structure, mitigating capital mismatch and improving public awareness of environmental protection. Heterogeneity analysis shows that the carbon reduction effect of big data are more pronounced in cities with high levels of digital economy, non-resource-based cities, cities with strong intellectual property rights protection and the Guizhou Province. Spatial effect analysis indicates that within a radius of 400–500 km, the NBD-CPZ increases urban carbon emissions, signifying a significant siphoning effect; within a radius of 500–900 km, the NBD-CPZ reduces urban carbon emissions, signifying a significant spillover effect, and beyond a distance of 900 km, the spatial effect of the NBD-CPZ is not significant. Based on the above conclusions, this study puts forward several policy recommendations to effectively exert the carbon emission reduction effect of big data.

Suggested Citation

  • Yali Liu & Zhi Li & Haonan Chen & Xiaoning Cui, 2024. "Impact of Big Data on Carbon Emissions: Empirical Evidence from China’s National Big Data Comprehensive Pilot Zone," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-23, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:19:p:8313-:d:1484801
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    Cited by:

    1. Wei Wen & Kangan Jiang & Xiaojing Shao, 2025. "The Impact of Big Data Pilot Zones on Urban Ecological Resilience: Evidence from a Machine Learning Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-22, March.
    2. Xianpu Xu & Qiqi Meng & Jing Huang, 2025. "Identifying the Impact of New Digital Infrastructure on Urban Energy Consumption: Evidence from the Broadband China Strategy," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-27, February.

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