The Impact of Digital Economy on China’s Low-Carbon Development

Abstract

As a new resource type, the digital economy permeates all economies and societies, becoming an essential engine for future development. Based on Chinese provincial panel data from 2015–2018, the article investigates the impact of the digital economy on the development of China's low-carbon economy using a mediating effects model. The conclusion of the article is as follows. First, the digital economy has an essential role in promoting the development of China's low-carbon economy. Second, the digital economy can encourage the development of China's low-carbon economy through technological innovation. Third, there is heterogeneity in the impact of the digital economy on the development of China's low-carbon economy, and its impact is in the order of strong to weak: east, west, and central. The article provides empirical evidence at the provincial level to develop the digital economy in China's low-carbon economy. It offers policy recommendations for the digital economy to contribute more effectively to China's low-carbon economy.