The contradiction between bridging the digital divide and reducing carbon emissions:Evidence from households in China

Abstract

Bridging the digital divide (BDD) brings economic benefits to households, but it may also generate environmental costs. Based on the 2014–2020 CFPS database and county-level data, this study investigates the impacts of BDD on household carbon emissions (HCEs). To address the potential endogeneity, generalized difference-in-differences and Bartik IV as well as causal mediation effect models are applied in empirical estimates. We find that BDD increases HCEs, confirming a contradiction between reducing digital inequality and carbon reduction goals. Although BDD assists households in escaping relative poverty, it also raises high‑carbon consumption share among households. Further analysis reveals that improving environmental satisfaction, aligning social norms and increasing green space accessibility could mitigate the impact of the high‑carbon consumption share mechanism without affecting residents' well-being. In addition, BDD exerts a greater influence on HCEs when the householder is younger, the household lives in a rural area, and social capital is higher. This study innovatively reveals the contradictions and cracking mechanisms between the two sustainable development goals (SDGs), and emphasizes the importance of government measures to mitigate potential negative environmental impacts while promoting digital development at the household level.