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<p>Rapid urbanization and industrial growth have exacerbated air pollution across many Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) member countries. In response, governments have begun leveraging digital technologies to enhance environmental governance and improve urban air quality. This research aims to empirically evaluate the effectiveness of digital governance in reducing urban air pollution and to identify the underlying mechanisms and disparities across RCEP member states. Using panel data from 2013 to 2023, the research employs a Difference-In-Differences (DID) method, with PM₂.₅ concentration as the primary environmental indicator. The analysis also includes mediation testing and heterogeneity analysis to explore causal pathways and differential impacts. The findings reveal that digital governance measured through policy implementation and software system investment significantly reduces PM₂.₅ levels by 1.86–2.36&#xa0;µg/m³. Mediation analysis shows that the expansion of protected ecological areas is a key channel through which digital initiatives improve air quality. Furthermore, the air quality benefits are nearly four times greater in high energy-consuming countries. Digital governance plays a vital role in environmental management within the RCEP bloc. The results highlight the strategic value of integrating digital infrastructure with ecological policies to achieve measurable improvements in air quality and sustainable urban development.</p>

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Digital governance and environmental management: Empirical evidence on urban air quality improvement in RCEP member countries

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年5月4日

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  • Yuexin Chen,
  • Yanan Zhu,
  • Ming Kang Ho,
  • Poh Kiong Tee

摘要

Rapid urbanization and industrial growth have exacerbated air pollution across many Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) member countries. In response, governments have begun leveraging digital technologies to enhance environmental governance and improve urban air quality. This research aims to empirically evaluate the effectiveness of digital governance in reducing urban air pollution and to identify the underlying mechanisms and disparities across RCEP member states. Using panel data from 2013 to 2023, the research employs a Difference-In-Differences (DID) method, with PM₂.₅ concentration as the primary environmental indicator. The analysis also includes mediation testing and heterogeneity analysis to explore causal pathways and differential impacts. The findings reveal that digital governance measured through policy implementation and software system investment significantly reduces PM₂.₅ levels by 1.86–2.36 µg/m³. Mediation analysis shows that the expansion of protected ecological areas is a key channel through which digital initiatives improve air quality. Furthermore, the air quality benefits are nearly four times greater in high energy-consuming countries. Digital governance plays a vital role in environmental management within the RCEP bloc. The results highlight the strategic value of integrating digital infrastructure with ecological policies to achieve measurable improvements in air quality and sustainable urban development.