The impact of digital technologies on eco-efficiency: Evidence from ICT patents

IF 5.4 Q1 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

Environmental and Sustainability Indicators Pub Date : 2025-03-31 DOI:10.1016/j.indic.2025.100675

Yan Li, Xiyue Xu, Zhaoxuan Duan

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Abstract

In light of the swift advancement of the digital economy, exploring how digital technology influences eco-efficiency allows for an assessment of the effects of digital economic growth on sustainable development. This article empirically analyses the effect of digital technology development on eco-efficiency from the perspective of digital technology, based on the data of China's information and communication technology (ICT) patents, and tests the mechanism of capital productivity. It is found that digital technology development can significantly promote eco-efficiency, and the conclusion passes the robustness test. The results of the heterogeneity analysis indicate significant variation in how digital technology development promotes digital entrepreneurship. Additionally, the impact of digital technology development on eco-efficiency is more pronounced in coastal cities, particularly after the new economic norm, the opening of high-speed railways, and in mega-cities. The findings from the mechanism analysis suggest that advancements in digital technology enhance eco-efficiency by increasing capital productivity.

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数字技术对生态效率的影响：来自ICT专利的证据

鉴于数字经济的快速发展，探索数字技术如何影响生态效率，有助于评估数字经济增长对可持续发展的影响。本文基于中国信息通信技术（ICT）专利数据，从数字技术视角实证分析了数字技术发展对生态效率的影响，并检验了资本生产率的作用机制。发现数字技术发展对生态效率有显著的促进作用，结论通过稳健性检验。异质性分析结果表明，数字技术发展对数字创业的促进作用存在显著差异。此外，数字技术发展对生态效率的影响在沿海城市更为明显，特别是在新经济规范、高铁开通之后和特大城市。机制分析结果表明，数字技术的进步通过提高资本生产率来提高生态效率。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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