Coordinated development of industrial digitalization and energy conservation and carbon reduction in Zhejiang Province—An empirical analysis based on coupling theory

Based on the coupling coordination theory, this article empirically explores the coordinated development between industrial digitalization and energy conservation and carbon reduction in Zhejiang Province. Against the backdrop of digital economy and dual carbon goals, this article explores the interaction mechanism and development level between industrial digitalization and energy conservation and carbon reduction, so as to provide a reference for regional high-quality green development. This paper establishes a comprehensive evaluation index system composed of two subsystems, namely industrial digitalization development and energy conservation and carbon reduction. An improved coupling coordination degree model is used to measure panel data of 11 prefecture-level cities in Zhejiang Province from 2016 to 2023. The results show that the coupling coordination degree between industrial digitalization and energy conservation and carbon reduction in Zhejiang Province presents an overall fluctuating upward trend, gradually transitioning from the primary coordination stage to the intermediate coordination stage. However, there are obvious regional and industrial heterogeneities in the coupling coordination level across Zhejiang Province. For instance, leading regions such as Huzhou have achieved high-level coupling coordination through innovative measures including carbon efficiency codes. In contrast, traditional industrial agglomeration areas face greater transformation pressure and exhibit relatively low coordination levels. Empirical analysis reveals three key paths of energy conservation and carbon reduction coordinated with digitalization. These are technology empowerment, structural optimization, and management innovation path.