Exploring the Influence of Digital Economy Growth on Carbon Emission Intensity Through the Lens of Energy Consumption

Rujun Zhao, Hai Chen (), Xiaoying Liang, Miaomiao Yang, Yuhe Ma and Wenjing Lu
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Rujun Zhao: College of Urban and Environmental Science, Northwest University, Xi’an 710127, China
Hai Chen: College of Urban and Environmental Science, Northwest University, Xi’an 710127, China
Xiaoying Liang: College of Urban and Environmental Science, Northwest University, Xi’an 710127, China
Miaomiao Yang: College of Urban and Environmental Science, Northwest University, Xi’an 710127, China
Yuhe Ma: College of Urban and Environmental Science, Northwest University, Xi’an 710127, China
Wenjing Lu: College of Urban and Environmental Science, Northwest University, Xi’an 710127, China

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 21, 1-19

Abstract: Exploring the impact of new economic forms such as the digital economy (DE) on carbon emissions is crucial for China’s “dual carbon” goals. This paper assesses the impact of the DE on carbon emission intensity (CI) from a 2011–2021 perspective on energy consumption in 30 provinces (Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, and Tibet are excluded) by using a double fixed-effects model for evaluating the DE. Based on the results from 2011 to 2021, (1) China’s DE and CI differ spatially and temporally. In contrast to CI, DE shows a pattern of low in the northwest and high in the southeast. The changes are similar to Hu Huanyong’s line, with considerable changes in the southeast, especially the coastal region. (2) Chinese DE’s carbon control effects (−0.027) vary by region. A significant negative effect is seen in both the eastern and western regions, with the western region having the greatest negative effect (−0.030), and a positive but insignificant impact in the central region. (3) Total energy consumption (TEC), structure (EC) and efficiency (EI) are all pathways of its influence. Path changes in China are mainly dominated by dual paths (Accounting for over 47%), with fewer single and multiple paths. Among them, the main dual path types are TEC and EC in the east and central regions, TEC and EC, and EC and EI in the western regions; meanwhile, the paths are unchanged in most of the provinces in China, and the changed provinces are mainly in the west. Based on these findings, DE development policies based on regional energy consumption differentiation are crucial to reducing carbon emissions.

Keywords: energy consumption; impact path; digital economy; measurement model; carbon emission intensity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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