Can the Development of the Digital Economy Improve Air Quality?—An Empirical Study Based on the Spatial Durbin Model

基于2011至2021年中国30个省份的面板数据，运用双向固定效应模型与空间杜宾模型进行实证研究，探讨数字经济发展对空气质量的影响及其空间溢出效应。研究结果表明：数字经济发展与空气质量之间存在正相关关系，在空间上具有明显的溢出效应，数字经济对改善空气质量的促进作用受到区域创新能力、城市化水平、政府干预、经济发展水平、绿化覆盖率、能源结构和产业结构的约束。进一步研究发现，数字经济的空间溢出效应通过技术扩散和环境规制等中介机制实现。地方行政部门与企业需共同努力，创建一个支持数字经济发展的政策框架和公众环境。通过推动数字经济的发展，并采纳定制化的发展策略，可以更有效地应对大气污染的挑战，并促进空气质量的改善。Based on the panel data of 30 provinces in China from 2011 to 2021, an empirical study using two-way fixed effects model and spatial Durbin model is conducted to explore the impact of digital economic development on air quality and its spatial spillover effect. The results show that there is a positive correlation between digital economy development and air quality, with obvious spatial spillover effects, and that the promotion of digital economy to improve air quality is constrained by regional innovation capacity, urbanization level, government intervention, economic development level, greening coverage, energy structure and industrial structure. Further research found that the spatial spillover effects of the digital economy are realized through intermediary mechanisms such as technology diffusion and environmental regulation. Local administrations and businesses need to work together to create a policy framework and public environment that supports the development of the digital economy. By promoting the development of the digital economy and adopting customized development strategies, the challenges of air pollution can be addressed more effectively and air quality improvement can be promoted.