Research on the Mechanism of Influence on Transportation Carbon Emission Driven by Digital Economy--An Empirical Analysis Based on Interprovincial Panel Data in China

Driven by the "dual-carbon" goal, the role of the digital economy in carbon emission reduction in the transportation sector has attracted much attention. This study designs a comprehensive digital economy evaluation index system and calculates the total carbon emissions of the transportation sector based on data from 30 provinces in China between 2009 and 2020, using the internationally recognized IPCC methodology. The empirical analysis shows that there is a special "inverted U-shape" relationship between the digital economy and transportation carbon emissions. Further in-depth investigation reveals that the role of digital economy in promoting carbon emission reduction in the transportation sector is particularly prominent in the central and eastern regions. In addition, the digital economy can effectively promote carbon emission reduction in the transportation sector by optimizing the transportation structure and alleviating traffic congestion. This finding not only reveals the potential of the digital economy in carbon emission reduction, but also provides valuable insights for our future green transportation development.