Digital pathways to sustainability: the impact of digital infrastructure in the coordinated development of environment, economy and society

As a key focus of the construction of the digital economy era, whether digital infrastructure (DI) can effectively promote the coordinated development of the environment-economy-society (CDEES) in underdeveloped areas has become an urgent problem. This study constructs corresponding indicator systems for measurement and evaluation. Based on panel data from 33 cities in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River (URYR) from 2008 to 2020, we explore the impact effect of DI on CDEES through an econometric model. The results indicated that: (1) DI significantly enhances the CDEES of the target area and has a sustained effect. It is worth noting that large-scale cities in the URYR are more apt to capitalize fully on the benefits of DI, as are non-resource-based cities. (2) Under the economic-geographical distance matrix, DI exhibits a significant positive spatial spillover impact on the CDEES in the URYR. (3) DI can indirectly drive by accelerating green technology innovation, strengthening market-based allocation of factors, and stimulating financial development. Our study provides empirical insights and support for advancing construction of DI and augmenting the level of CDEES in underprivileged areas.