Regional Sustainability >

2025 , Vol. 6 >Issue 5: 100263

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.regsus.2025.100263

Research article

Dual impact of digitalization on the carbon emissions of Yangtze River Delta urban agglomerations in China: A spatiotemporal perspective

  • WEI Meng ,
  • RU Lifei ,
  • CAI Zhi ,
  • MA Minda
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  • aSchool of Architecture and Urban Planning, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210000, China
    bDepartment of City and Regional Planning, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Carolina, NC 27599, the United States
    cSchool of Applied Economics, Renmin University of China, Beijing, 100872, China
    dSchool of Tourism and Urban-Rural Planning, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou, 310018, China
    eSchool of Architecture and Urban Planning, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400045, China
    fBuilding Technology and Urban Systems Division, Energy Technologies Area, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, the United States

Received date: 2024-10-24

  Revised date: 2025-06-10

  Accepted date: 2025-10-08

  Online published: 2025-11-06

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Abstract

Digital transformation, as a recent trend in socioeconomic development, is considered as a critical pathway for urban carbon reduction because of its potential to increase productivity and energy efficiency. However, few studies have explored the relationship between urban digitalization and carbon emissions (CE). Therefore, this study systematically analyzed the spatiotemporal distribution and interaction mechanism between digitalization and CE in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) urban agglomerations of China during 2006-2020 based on a multidimensional indicator system, including digitalization industry level, digitalization application level, and urban green digitalization willingness. The findings revealed that both digitalization and CE in the YRD exhibit a significant and synchronously evolving “core-periphery” spatial pattern. Core cities generated substantial positive spillover effect on periphery cities through technology diffusion and policy demonstration, advancing both regional digitalization and the collaborative governance of CE. However, digitalization had dual impact on CE. On the one hand, it promoted the reduction of CE by enhancing energy efficiency, optimizing industrial structures, and promoting the application of green technologies. On the other hand, the expansion of digital infrastructure introduced a potential risk of increased energy consumption. Therefore, targeted policy recommendations are proposed to facilitate the coordination of environmental sustainability and digitalization in the YRD. This study provides empirical support and policy insights for advancing the coordinated development of regional digital transformation and green low-carbon initiatives.

Key words： Carbon emissions; Digitalization industry level; Digitalization application level; Urban green digitalization willingness; “Core-periphery” spatial pattern; Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration

Cite this article

WEI Meng , RU Lifei , CAI Zhi , MA Minda . Dual impact of digitalization on the carbon emissions of Yangtze River Delta urban agglomerations in China: A spatiotemporal perspective[J]. Regional Sustainability, 2025 , 6(5) : 100263 . DOI: 10.1016/j.regsus.2025.100263

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