Can Green Digital Synergy Improve the Carbon Emission Performance in the Central and Western Regions?

Based on the data of 282 prefecture-level cities from 2006 to 2021, this paper deeply analyzes the comprehensive impact of low-carbon cities and the dual pilot policy of the “Broadband China” strategy on regional carbon emission effect by the method of gradual difference-in-differences. It is found that green digital policy synergy can significantly promote the quality and efficiency of carbon emissions without sacrificing economic development, and this policy synergy will affect the effect of city carbon emission reduction through structural upgrading and technological progress, but the structural upgrading effect of reducing carbon emission intensity has not yet appeared. Based on the background of “dual transformation and coordination”, this paper analyzes the synergistic effect of the dual pilot policies on carbon emissions and economic efficiency, which provides insights for cities to achieve a win-win situation of emission reduction targets and economic growt.