The impact of the digital economy on agricultural carbon emissions empirical evidence from China

Abstract

The rapid development of the digital economy has increased attention to its impact on agricultural carbon emissions. Using panel data covering 30 Chinese provinces from 2012 to 2022, this study examines the relationship between the digital economy and agricultural carbon emissions, along with the underlying mechanisms. The results indicate that the digital economy significantly reduces overall agricultural carbon emissions, a finding that remains robust across various tests. Notably, the effect of the digital economy on the intensity of agricultural carbon emissions is heterogeneous, with more pronounced reductions observed in major grain-producing regions. Key intermediary mechanisms for this reduction include agricultural scale, the enhancement of digital financial services, and technological innovation. Based on these findings, we recommend focusing on strengthening digital infrastructure, enhancing the digitally inclusive financial system, promoting the development of digital agricultural talent, and exploring innovative models of digital agricultural development.