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Impact of Digitalization on Carbon Emissions in Guangdong’s Manufacturing Sector: An Input–Output Perspective

Author

Listed:
  • Jiao Jingren

    (Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8572, Japan)

  • Helmut Yabar

    (Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305–8572, Japan)

  • Takeshi Mizunoya

    (Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305–8572, Japan)

Abstract

As global pressure to reduce emissions intensifies, China is increasingly turning to digital technologies to drive sustainable industrial development, aiming to boost production while keeping carbon emissions in check. This study takes a micro-level approach by dividing the industry into 17 sectors and applying an environmentally-extended input–output (EEIO) model combined with structural decomposition analysis (SDA) to quantify the impact of digital transformation on carbon emissions across sectors. This study used input–output data from 2012 and 2017. The results indicate that (1) technological improvements driven by digitalization play a key role in reducing industrial carbon emissions, and (2) while high-carbon sectors show substantial emission reductions due to digital transformation, industries such as textiles—where digital adoption is more challenging—exhibit only limited improvements. These findings underscore the need to further advance technological upgrading and transformation in less digitally integrated sectors.

Suggested Citation

  • Jiao Jingren & Helmut Yabar & Takeshi Mizunoya, 2025. "Impact of Digitalization on Carbon Emissions in Guangdong’s Manufacturing Sector: An Input–Output Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-15, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:16:p:7234-:d:1721616
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Nie, Changfei & Xie, Ling & Feng, Yuan, 2025. "The digital path to carbon neutrality: Examining the carbon abatement effect of digital place-based policy in China," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 147(C).
    2. Xu, Guangyue & Dong, Haoyun & Xu, Zhenci & Bhattarai, Nishan, 2022. "China can reach carbon neutrality before 2050 by improving economic development quality," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 243(C).
    3. Tang, Yuhong & Zhao, Qi & Ren, Yuheng, 2024. "Nexus among government digital development, resource dependence, and carbon emissions in China," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 95(C).
    4. Sana Naseem, 2025. "Linkages between digitalization and carbon emissions generated from natural resource-based energy sources: empirical evidence from Asia," Mineral Economics, Springer;Raw Materials Group (RMG);Luleå University of Technology, vol. 38(3), pages 683-699, September.
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