Research on the Impact and Mechanism of Digital Technology on the Synergistic Governance of Pollution and Carbon Reduction

Abstract

Environmental pollution and climate change are significant challenges on the path to sustainable development for human society. This study employs panel data from 30 provinces in China, from 2000 to 2022, to empirically analyzes the impact of digital technology on the synergistic governance of pollution and carbon reduction, as well as its underlying mechanisms. The findings show that digital technology helps optimize corporate management models, enhance environmental governance capabilities, and create a green and low-carbon social atmosphere, thereby significantly improving the level of synergistic governance of pollution and carbon reduction. This conclusion remains robust after replacing the explanatory variable with digital patents, substituting regression models, and controlling for endogeneity issues. However, the effects of digital technology on synergistic governance of pollution and carbon reduction are heterogeneous. Digital technology has a more pronounced positive impact in regions with a solid foundation in environmental governance, distinct green economic characteristics, and mature digital operation models. The mediating effect results indicate that digital technology can achieve synergistic governance of pollution and carbon reduction through two pathways: improving energy efficiency and promoting virtual agglomeration. The conclusions drawn provide insights for relevant stakeholders to fully utilize digital technology to accelerate green production and address climate change.