Can the digital technology implementation promote the spatial convergence of carbon emissions? Evidence from China
摘要
Digital technology can enhance data processing capabilities and optimize resource allocation, which greatly improves production efficiency and the utilization of environmental resources and promotes low-carbon transformation. This paper characterizes the implementation of digital technology based on the national big data comprehensive pilot zone pilot policies, uses the Chinese 285 cities from 2000 to 2023, and adopts the spatial difference-in-differences model to study the impact of the digital technology implementation on the spatial convergence of carbon emissions among cities. This study found that the digital technology implementation has significantly promoted the spatial convergence of carbon emissions, mainly by improving the modernization of the industrial chain, economic agglomeration, and green technology. Heterogeneity analysis found that in developed cities, energy-demand cities, and cities in the central and western regions, the implementation of digital technology has a stronger effect on enhancing the spatial convergence of carbon emissions. In addition, marginal analysis results also show that the impact of digital technology increases with the increase in Internet penetration.