ICT投资对碳排放效率的空间效应和影响机制

Spatial effects and impact mechanisms of ICT investment on carbon efficiency

信息通信技术(ICT)资本支撑的数字化对中国减少能源消耗、达成碳中和目标、实现经济高质量发展具有重要意义。为探究信息通信技术资本对碳排放的影响及其机制,首先,从理论层面分析信息通信技术投资对碳排放效率的作用机制。其次,采用2007—2020年30个省(市、自治区)的面板数据,构建空间杜宾模型和中介效应模型,系统验证信息通信技术投资对碳排放效率的空间效应及其影响机制。研究结果表明:信息通信技术投资不仅有助于提高本地的碳排放效率,而且对周边地区碳排放效率具有显著的正向空间溢出效应;信息通信技术投资通过加快技术创新、优化产业结构和加速人力资本积累促进碳排放效率的提高。因此应大力提升信息通信技术资本配置效率,充分利用信息通信技术资本的溢出效应实施区域碳减排协作战略,准确识别中介机制渠道,释放信息通信技术资本节能潜力。

Digitalisation,supported by information and communication technology(ICT)capital,is the key to reduce energy consumption and achieve carbon neutrality in China’s economic transformation process.In light of the panel data of 30 provinces(cities and autonomous regions)from 2007 to 2020,this paper develops a spatial Durbin model and a mediating effect model to systematically analyze the spatial effect and impact mechanism of ICT investment on carbon emission efficiency.The research results show that:firstly,ICT investment helps to improve carbon emission efficiency,pure technical efficiency,scale efficiency and technological progress;secondly,ICT investment not only helps to improve local carbon emission efficiency,but also has significant spatial spillover effects on neighbouring regions;thirdly,ICT investment promotes carbon emission efficiency by stimulating technological innovation,optimizing industrial structure,and accelerating human capital accumulation.The policy recommendations,accordingly,are made in several aspects,including enhancing the efficiency of ICT investment allocation,making a rational use of the spatial spillover effect of digitalisation,and activating the potential of ICT capital.