Can Technology Offset the Carbon Costs of Protectionism? The Role of Information and Communication Technology in Achieving SDG 13

In the face of growing global trade protectionism and escalating climate change, this study investigates whether Information and Communication Technology (ICT) can help mitigate the carbon costs associated with protectionist trade policies, with particular attention to advancing Sustainable Development Goal 13 (Climate Action). Although there is existing research on the individual relationships between trade policy, ICT, and carbon emissions, empirical studies that systematically integrate all three within a cross‐country long‐panel framework remain limited. Using panel data from 48 countries between 2002 and 2022 and employing a robust econometric framework, the analysis explores how ICT interacts with trade protection to influence national carbon footprints. The findings reveal that trade protection policies generally increase carbon emissions by disrupting the efficiency of global trade networks and encouraging carbon‐intensive domestic production. However, ICT adoption and advancement can significantly offset these negative effects, particularly in low‐income regions. Importantly, the study identifies heterogeneity in the carbon footprint impact depending on the level of ICT development: in countries with more advanced ICT infrastructure, the negative environmental effects of trade protection are less pronounced. These results suggest that aligning digital strategies with trade policies and strengthening international cooperation on green technology are essential steps toward reducing global carbon emissions and achieving SDG 13.