Impact of low-carbon energy structure transition on rural revitalization

Abstract

This paper investigates whether and how the low-carbon transition of energy structures promotes rural revitalization. Using a sample of Chinese cities from 2003 to 2022, the study finds that the low-carbon transition of energy structures significantly drives rural revitalization in the regions, a relationship that remains robust after a series of sensitivity tests. The mechanisms primarily operate through two pathways: industrial upgrading and improved energy efficiency. Moderation effect analysis further reveals that energy consumption intensity and the level of green finance development, as key contextual variables, significantly enhance the implementation efficacy of low-carbon policy tools by optimizing resource allocation efficiency and reducing transition costs. Heterogeneity analysis shows that spatial socioeconomic characteristics such as geographic location, urban-rural income equilibrium, and digital infrastructure levels profoundly influence the effectiveness of the low-carbon transition of energy structures.