Can information technology construction alleviate household energy poverty? Empirical evidence from the “broadband China” Pilot Policy

Abstract

Energy poverty poses a significant challenge to global sustainable development. With the rapid advancement of information technology, understanding its role in alleviating energy poverty holds great practical significance. This paper conducts a case study of the “Broadband China” pilot policy implemented by the Chinese government and utilizes panel data from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) over the 2012–2018 period. In a difference-in-differences framework, we empirically investigate the alleviation effects of information technology construction on household energy poverty and its underlying mechanisms. The main findings indicate that (1) information technology construction significantly alleviates household energy poverty and demonstrates a sustained alleviation effect. These results remain valid after a series of robustness tests. (2) Heterogeneity analysis suggests that factors such as the regional economic development level and geographical location distribution can cause varying impacts of information technology on alleviating energy poverty. (3) Mechanism analysis reveals that information technology construction can alleviate household energy poverty through two potential channels: raising residents’ income levels and enhancing their environmental awareness. The conclusions of this paper provide valuable insights into leveraging information technology construction to alleviate energy poverty.