The Mechanism of Digital Economy Development on Energy Intensity under the “Dual Carbon” Goals

Abstract

Reducing energy intensity has became important in the context of the “dual carbon” goals. Panel data were collected from 30 provinces in China during the period of 2011-2020 to investigate how the digital economy affects energy intensity and the mechanisms underlies. The empirical findings indicate that digital economy development significantly lowers energy intensity. A series of robustness checks confirm that this result is not coincidental. Heterogeneity analysis shows that the energy-reduction effect is more pronounced in non-resource-based provinces and the western region, while varying degrees of heterogeneity are observed in resource‑based provinces and the eastern and central regions. This paper elucidates the intrinsic mechanisms through which the digital economy enhances energy efficiency at the provincial level, providing empirical support and practical insights for promoting coordinated development of digitalization and greening under the “dual carbon” goals, as well as for formulating region‑specific energy transition policies.