The spatial spillover effects and equity of carbon emissions of digital economy in China

Abstract

The global economy is entering an era of digitalization and green development. While the digital economy has brought sustained growth to the economy, it has also raised concerns, particularly regarding carbon emissions. This study focuses on China's digital industry and utilizes an interregional input-output model to construct a carbon emission spillover-feedback effects model. It analyzes the transfer of carbon emission pressure between regions from the perspective of spatial spillovers and assesses the equity of carbon emissions from the digital industry. The research findings indicate:1. The hidden carbon emissions of the digital industry mainly include internal and external carbon spillover emissions.2. There is significant spatial heterogeneity in the carbon spillover emissions, with eastern and coastal developed regions being the primary areas of carbon emissions spillover, while the northwestern and central regions bear the burden of carbon emissions from other areas.3. The digital industry primarily experiences carbon emission spillovers between industries with resource and material-intensive characteristics.4. The economic efficiency and equity of carbon emissions from the digital industry exhibit a negative correlation with the level of economic development, and an overall declining trend is observed. In summary, recognizing the mechanisms and pathways of interregional carbon emission transfer in the development of the digital economy is crucial for avoiding the exacerbation of interregional environmental pressure, reshaping resource trade relationships, and achieving the goals of carbon peak and carbon neutrality.