The promoting effect of information consumption city policy on urban green development

• The information consumption city policy (ICCP) has led to an approximate 3.17% enhancement in the level of green development in pilot cities. • Agglomeration effect, green transportation consumption, and the level of informatization serve as critical mechanisms through which ICCP promotes urban green development. • There exists heterogeneity in the impact of ICCP on urban green development. • Double threshold effects of development intensity, informationization level and market demand between ICCP and urban green development. • Spatial spillover effects of ICCP on green development in neighboring cities. In the context of escalating global challenges such as climate change, energy security, and environmental pollution, urban development faces the pressing need to balance economic prosperity with environmental sustainability. Information Consumption City Policy (ICCP) has emerged as a potential solution, yet its impact on urban green development remains insufficiently explored. This study aims to comprehensively examine the effects of ICCP on urban green development, including its mechanisms, heterogeneity effects, and nonlinear relationships. It treats ICCP in China as a quasi-natural experiment, utilizing panel data from 285 cities between 2003 and 2019. We apply a Difference-in-Differences (DID) model to systematically analyze the impact of ICCP on urban green development. Our findings reveal that ICCP significantly promotes urban green development, with pilot cities experiencing an approximate 3.17% increase in green development levels compared to non-pilot cities. This conclusion remains robust after relevant stability and endogeneity tests. Key mechanisms facilitating this impact include agglomeration effect, green transportation, and levels of informatization. The enhancement of green development varies among cities, showing a stronger effect in cities with high energy consumption, environmental awareness, innovation levels, informatization, larger populations, non-industrial bases, and lower economic development. Moreover, we identify dual threshold effects related to energy consumption intensity, informatization levels, and market demand in the relationship between ICCP and urban green development. There is also a spatial spillover effect, where ICCP positively influences the green development levels of neighboring cities. Based on these findings, we recommend that policymakers expand the scope of ICCP, increase investments in related industries, and improve public transportation mechanisms. Additionally, tailored policies should be developed for different cities to promote sustainable urban development.