The Synergistic Effect of Digital Consumption on Pollution and Carbon Reduction

As an emerging environmentally sustainable consumption paradigm, digital consumption plays a pivotal role in synergistic pollution and carbon reduction. Based on provincial-level panel data from China covering from 2013 to 2024, this study adopts the two-way fixed effect model, the mediating effect model, and the threshold model to examine the impact and mechanisms of digital consumption in promoting the synergistic effect of pollution and carbon reduction and provide a theoretical framework and practical guidance. The results demonstrate that digital consumption exerts a statistically significant synergistic effect on pollution and carbon reduction, even after endogenous and robustness tests. This effect is more pronounced in regions with supportive digital policy environment, favorable carbon control policy, lower degrees of industrialization, and higher levels of environmental protection. Industrial structure upgrading and green technology innovation are two primary transmission channels through which digital consumption enhances the synergistic effect of pollution and carbon reduction. This effect is significantly stronger when industrial structure upgrading and green technology innovation exceed the threshold values of 3.6253 and 2.0374, respectively.