The impact of digital infrastructure on carbon productivity Analysis based on provincial panel data

The digital economy has become a mainstream force in promoting the green and low-carbon transformation of industry. This paper, based on balanced panel data from 30 provinces in China from 2011 to 2021, constructs a two-way fixed effect model and a mediation effect model to explore the impact of digital infrastructure construction (DIC) on industrial carbon productivity (ICP). The research finds that DIC can significantly enhance ICP. This conclusion remains valid after variable substitution, Bootstrap tests, and addressing endogeneity issues. DIC influences ICP through industrial structure upgrading. The heterogeneity analysis shows that the impact of DIC on ICP is significant in both eastern and western regions, but not significant in the central region. This study provides empirical evidence and targeted suggestions for enhancing digital infrastructure construction and carbon productivity.