Can Digital Infrastructure Construction Promote Energy Conservation in Resource-Based Cities? Evidence from the “Broadband China” Strategy

Li Chen, Hao Cheng (), Fujia Li () and Zihan Song
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Li Chen: Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, CAS, Beijing 100101, China
Hao Cheng: Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, CAS, Beijing 100101, China
Fujia Li: Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, CAS, Beijing 100101, China
Zihan Song: School of Economics and Management, Inner Mongolia Normal University, Hohhot 010022, China

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 18, 1-25

Abstract: Resource-based cities in China face severe challenges in reducing energy consumption due to their heavy industrial structures and strong dependence on fossil fuels. Using the “Broadband China” strategy as a quasi-natural experiment, this study applies a multi-period difference-in-differences (DID) model, together with mediation and spatial econometric approaches, to identify local, indirect, and spillover effects. The results show that the strategy significantly reduces energy consumption in resource-based cities. Mechanism analysis reveals that the “Broadband China” strategy reduces energy use in resource-based cities by promoting green technology innovation and financial development. Heterogeneity analysis indicates that the energy-saving effect is more pronounced in mature and regenerating cities, non-old-industrial-based cities, and key environmental protection cities. Spatial evaluation further shows that the “Broadband China” strategy exerts a negative spatial spillover effect on energy consumption in neighboring resource-based cities. Our findings provide valuable insights for resource-based cities in China to control energy consumption and achieve sustainable development. Our findings provide practical policy implications for resource-based cities in China, supporting strategies to achieve energy conservation development and advance sustainable transformation.

Keywords: resource-based cities; “Broadband China” strategy; energy conservation; staggered DID model; spatial spillover effect (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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