数字经济促进碳减排了吗？——基于30个省级行政区的数据检验

Has the Digital Economy Promoted Carbon Emission Reduction? —A Test Based on Data from 30 Provincial-Level Administrative Divisions

摘要: 以2011~2023年国内30个省级行政区的面板数据为研究样本，探究数字经济对区域碳减排的影响效应以及作用原理。研究发现：数字经济显著促进碳减排效应，且这一作用在西部地区尤为突出。机制分析发现，数字经济促进中介变量产业结构升级进而提高了碳减排效应。研究结论不仅为数字经济赋能绿色低碳转型提供了来自省级层面的实证依据，也为各地区制定差异化的数字化减排方案、优化产业结构及推进跨区域协同减排，提供了理论分析与实证支撑。

Abstract: Using panel data from 30 provincial-level administrative divisions in China from 2011 to 2023 as the research sample, this study explores the impact of the digital economy on regional carbon emission reduction and its underlying mechanisms. The findings reveal that the digital economy significantly promotes carbon emission reduction, with this effect being particularly pronounced in the western regions. Mechanism analysis indicates that the digital economy promotes the upgrading of the industrial structure, thereby enhancing the carbon emission reduction effect. The research conclusions not only provide empirical evidence at the provincial level for the digital economy to empower the green and low-carbon transformation but also offer decision-making references for regions to implement differentiated digital emission reduction policies, optimize the industrial structure, and promote regional coordinated emission reduction.