From technological empowerment to green performance: empirical evidence on Digitalization-driven energy conservation and emission reduction in logistics enterprises — a case study of SF holding

Abstract

Amidst growing environmental imperatives, digital technologies have emerged as pivotal enablers of sustainable transformation in the logistics sector, particularly by improving energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Despite increasing recognition of their importance, the concrete mechanisms and pathways through which digitalization drives energy conservation and emission reduction at the enterprise level remain insufficiently understood. Addressing this substantive gap, this study aims to systematically elucidate how digital technologies empower logistics enterprises to achieve low-carbon transformation. Using SF Holding—a leading digitalized logistics firm in China—as a representative case, we develop and empirically validate an integrated framework encompassing green innovation, energy substitution, and operational efficiency. Employing Grey Relational Analysis, we quantitatively investigate how six key factors—R&D investment, cumulative granted patents, newly granted patents, new energy vehicle adoption, photovoltaic power generation, and enterprise digitalization degree—impact two core environmental performance indicators: greenhouse gas emission intensity and energy consumption intensity. The results demonstrate that cumulative technological capability and the degree of enterprise digitalization are especially influential in promoting emission reduction and energy efficiency. By clarifying the micro-level mechanisms—such as technological accumulation, clean energy integration, and operational optimization—this study advances theoretical understanding of digitalization-driven green transformation in logistics and offers actionable insights for both policymakers and industry practitioners seeking to foster low-carbon logistics through digital innovation.