The Impact and Mechanism of the Digital Economy on Carbon Emission Efficiency: A Perspective Based on Provincial Panel Data in China

Lu Liu, Yuxin Meng and Qiying Ran ()
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Lu Liu: School of Economics and Management, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830047, China
Yuxin Meng: School of Economics and Management, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830047, China
Qiying Ran: School of Business and Economics, Shanghai Business School, Shanghai 200235, China

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 19, 1-15

Abstract: The regional carbon emission efficiency (RCEE) of 30 provinces in mainland China from 2011 to 2019 was calculated using a super-slack-based measure (Super-SBM) model. Then, using the system generalized method of moments (system GMM) model, spatial Durbin model (SDM), and mediating effect model, we examined the direct effect, spatial effect, and influence mechanism of the digital economy (DE) on RCEE. It was found that DE significantly promoted regional RCEE, but had a negative effect on RCEE in provinces with a high economic correlation. The mechanism studies showed that DE improved RCEE by reducing the energy intensity and promoting industrial upgrading and green technology innovation. Regional heterogeneity analysis found that DE significantly improved RCEE in eastern provinces, but not in central and western provinces. While RCEE in economically developed areas was improved by DE, it was decreased in economically underdeveloped provinces. This paper provides some empirical and theoretical references for the development of DE to improve RCEE.

Keywords: digital economy; carbon emission efficiency; system GMM model; spatial Durbin model (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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