Carbon emission effect of digital economy development: impact of digital economy development on China’s carbon dioxide emissions

Countries around the world have recently accelerated the process of achieving carbon neutrality. The booming digital economy in the world, particularly in China, has become an important factor affecting the mode of economic development. Therefore, investigating the impact of digital economic development on carbon dioxide emissions in China could also help other countries reduce carbon dioxide emissions. It is imperative for China to accelerate the realization of the goal of carbon neutrality. This paper used China’s provincial data, demonstrating the impact of digital economic development on China’s carbon dioxide emissions through theoretical analysis and empirical measurement. The study found that digital economic development has primarily helped China reduce carbon dioxide emissions, through industrial upgrading and this effect had regional and temporal heterogeneity. The government should vigorously promote digital economic development to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.