Digital economy exhibits varying degrees of mitigation of air pollution in China: Total cities-economic subdivisions-urban agglomerations
Guoen Wei,
Yiting Yang,
Ruzi Li,
Yaobin Liu,
Bao-Jie He
Affiliations
Guoen Wei
School of Resources and Environment, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China; Central China Research Center for Economic and Social Development, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
Yiting Yang
Central China Research Center for Economic and Social Development, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China; School of Economic and Management, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
Ruzi Li
Central China Research Center for Economic and Social Development, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China; School of Economic and Management, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
Yaobin Liu
Central China Research Center for Economic and Social Development, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China; School of Economic and Management, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China; Corresponding author
Bao-Jie He
Centre for Climate–Resilient and Low–Carbon Cities, School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Key Laboratory of New Technology for Construction of Cities in Mountain Area, Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400045, China; Institute for Smart City of Chongqing University in Liyang, Chongqing University, Liyang, Jiangsu 213300, China; Corresponding author
Summary: Air pollution is a challenge for many cities. The digital economy enhances support for environmental pollution management, while the mechanisms and scaling heterogeneity remain unclear. This study explored the contribution of digital economy development to PM2.5 concentrations control in China and driving mechanisms in different economic subregions and urban agglomerations. Results show that the spillover transfer effect on air pollution mitigation far exceeded the direct effect at different scales. At the national scale, the air pollution mitigation effect of digital economy was mainly through empowering industrial structure optimization and green technology innovation, while it also affected economic subregions and urban agglomerations through varying scenario combinations of pathways with structural optimization, green production, resource allocation, and technology innovation. Research findings provide support for cross-regional joint management strategies of digital economy and air quality and designing regionally differentiated pollution control pathways in the digital economy dimension.
