The Influence Mechanism of the Digital Economy on Carbon Intensity Across Chinese Provinces

Jiazhen Duan, Zhuowen Zhang, Haoran Zhao (), Chunhua Jin and Sen Guo
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Jiazhen Duan: Business School, Beijing Information Science & Technology University, Beijing 100085, China
Zhuowen Zhang: Business School, Beijing Information Science & Technology University, Beijing 100085, China
Haoran Zhao: Business School, Beijing Information Science & Technology University, Beijing 100085, China
Chunhua Jin: Business School, Beijing Information Science & Technology University, Beijing 100085, China
Sen Guo: School of Economics and Management, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 15, 1-25

Abstract: The accelerating growth of the digital economy (DE) offers fresh momentum towards reaching carbon emissions’ peak and neutrality. Nevertheless, the impact mechanism of the DE on carbon emissions intensity (CEI) is insufficiently characterized. Our study first constructs an expanded comprehensive indicator system to evaluate DE development level from five dimensions containing 17 indicators. Panel data from 30 Chinese provincial regions (2013–2023) were analyzed using fixed effects, mediating effects, and spatial Durbin models to empirically examine the relationship and mechanisms between DE and CEI. Considering the existence of indirect effects of DE on CEs, the mechanism associated with the effect of the DE on CEs from the perspectives of economic growth, industrial structure upgrading, and scientific and technology innovation has been explored. The findings indicate notable regional disparities in the DE level across various provincial regions of China. China’s DE development significantly inhibits CEI. Furthermore, the DE’s development has successfully curtailed CE growth via three mediating mechanisms. And the DE exhibits a critical spatial spillover effect on CEI, and that effect also exhibits regional heterogeneity. Our findings can aid in regional DE development and the creation of policies to reduce CEs.

Keywords: digital economy; carbon emissions intensity; mediating effect; spatial spillover effect (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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