Does the digital economy promote synergy between pollution control and carbon reduction? Evidence from China

Zheng J., Zhao S., Tan Y., Balsalobre-Lorente D.

ENVIRONMENT DEVELOPMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY, 2024 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Publication Date: 2024
  • Doi Number: 10.1007/s10668-024-04964-0
  • Journal Name: ENVIRONMENT DEVELOPMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, International Bibliography of Social Sciences, PASCAL, ABI/INFORM, Agricultural & Environmental Science Database, Aquatic Science & Fisheries Abstracts (ASFA), BIOSIS, Business Source Elite, Business Source Premier, CAB Abstracts, Geobase, Greenfile, Index Islamicus, Pollution Abstracts, Veterinary Science Database, Civil Engineering Abstracts
  • Azerbaijan State University of Economics (UNEC) Affiliated: No

Abstract

Under the current constraints of "carbon peak" and "carbon neutrality" in China, the synergistic effect of pollution control and carbon reduction (SPCCR) is conducive to the realization of green and sustainable development, and the digital economy (DIE) may accelerate the realization of this goal. To test the proposed hypotheses, this paper uses the entropy weight TOPSIS method to measure the DIE index based on the balanced panel data of Chinese cities from 2011 to 2020 and explores the impact and mechanism of DIE on SPCCR using the panel fixed effect model, dynamic panel model, and mediated effect model. The results show that (1) DIE can significantly promote SPCCR, and this conclusion still holds after a series of endogeneity and robustness tests. (2) DIE promotes SPCCR through the structural optimization effect (SOE), the green innovation effect (GIE), and the resource allocation effect (RAE), and there are some mediating effects. The results of the heterogeneity analysis show that the effects of DIE on SPCCR are different in different regions. This is because each city has a different level of economic development, resource endowment, and industrial base. The results of this study suggest that while enjoying the "digital dividend" brought by DIE, governments and enterprises in developing countries should give full play to the power of industrial structure upgrading, green technology innovation, and resource allocation mitigation. In addition, avoiding the negative impacts of location advantages and resource endowment characteristics is necessary. The findings of this paper provide novel strategies for developing DIE and SPCCR in developing economies.