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The differential impact of the digital economy on urban energy efficiency in China: the mediating mechanism of FDI

Author

Listed:
  • Hana Wang

    (Hunan Institute of Engineering)

  • Yanan Wang

    (Hunan Institute of Engineering)

  • Gui Zeng

    (Hunan Institute of Engineering)

  • Zuyu Qian

    (Hunan Institute of Engineering)

  • Shiguang Lu

    (Hunan Institute of Engineering)

Abstract

As a new economic form, digital economy will have a profound impact on economic activities, including energy consumption and FDI. This paper is intended to explore the differences in the impact of digital economy on urban energy efficiency in China, and whether there is a mediation effect of FDI in this impact process. Therefore, based on the data of 279 prefecture level and above cities in China from 2006 to 2019, the evaluation index system of urban digital economy is constructed, and the entropy method is used to measure its comprehensive development level. Use fixed-effects panel models and intermediary effects models to test the impact of digital economy development on urban energy efficiency. The results show that the digital economy can significantly improve urban energy efficiency. In terms of differential analysis, the role of digital economy development in urban energy efficiency has obvious heterogeneity characteristics in urban scale, geographical region, level of urban economic development, and economic region. In terms of mechanism test, FDI plays an effective mediating role in the process of digital economy affecting urban energy efficiency.

Suggested Citation

  • Hana Wang & Yanan Wang & Gui Zeng & Zuyu Qian & Shiguang Lu, 2024. "The differential impact of the digital economy on urban energy efficiency in China: the mediating mechanism of FDI," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 26(12), pages 31323-31350, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:endesu:v:26:y:2024:i:12:d:10.1007_s10668-024-04475-y
    DOI: 10.1007/s10668-024-04475-y
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