The Impact of Digitalization on Carbon Emissions in China: A Spatial Analytical Perspective

The process of digitalization plays a significant and beneficial role in China's endeavors to regulate carbon emissions and accomplish its targets of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality. Hence, it is crucial to ascertain the spatial distribution of carbon emissions in China and analyse the impact of digital mitigation strategies on emissions. This study analyses 30 provincial panels in China to investigate the correlation between digitalization and carbon emissions. The spatial impact of digitalization on carbon emissions is verified using a dynamic spatial Durbin model. This article describes the geographical agglomeration characteristics of carbon emissions in China and visualized these by spatial and temporal mapping using ArcGIS software. The short-term and long-term direct effects and spatial spillover effects of digitalization on carbon emissions are examined. The findings indicate that digitalization and carbon emissions exhibited high levels of concentration. The substitution effect of digitalization on carbon emissions outweighs the use effect. Digitalization has direct and spatial spillover effects on carbon emissions, resulting in a cyclic accumulation effect over the long term. There are heterogeneity consequences of digitalization for carbon emissions in various places. The eastern region's digitalization has the most significant influence on carbon emissions, followed by the central region and then the western region. The study proposes regional cooperation, digital technology, and optimization of industrial structure to achieve environmental regulatory targets. Governments should develop measures for the assessment of carbon stocks. This research has significant ramifications for the government in formulating environmental regulations that fostering high-quality economic development.