The impact of data factor on the low-carbon development of county-level resource-based cities and mechanism: Evidence from the provincial-level public data access platforms

Abstract

[Objective] Data factor has introduced new impetus for China’s high-quality development. Investigating the impact of data factor on the low-carbon development of resource-based cities and its mechanisms can offer fresh insights for the sustainable growth of these cities. [Methods] From the perspective of new quality productive forces (NQPF), this study examined how data factor influenced the low-carbon development of resource-based cities. Using the quasi-natural experiment created by the launch of provincial public data access platforms across various provinces in China, and drawing on a panel dataset of 1014 county-level resource-based cities from 2011 to 2019, a difference-in-differences model was employed to empirically test the relationship between data factor and the low-carbon development of these cities. [Results] (1) The data factor released through provincial public data access platforms significantly reduced carbon emissions of resource-based cities. Compared with other resource-based cities, the carbon emission intensity of resource-based cities affected by this policy was about 18.1% lower. (2) In terms of mechanisms, the data factor released by public data access platforms reduced carbon emission intensity of resource-based cities through two important mechanisms: enhancing green NQPF and digital NQPF of resource-based cities. (3) From a heterogeneity perspective, the data factor released by public data access platforms were broadly inclusive, benefiting different types of resource-based cities. However, the magnitude of the impact varied depending on factors such as the city’s development stage, primary resource type, and geographical location. [Conclusion] The public data access platforms release a wealth of data factor, which aids resource-based cities in developing NQPF and consequently reducing carbon emissions. Resource-based cities should seize the opportunities presented by the continuous integration of data factor into traditional production functions to foster NQPF and achieve low-carbon development.

Keywords

• resource-based cities|data factor|new quality productive forces|public data access|carbon emissions|carbon curse