Impact of Mobile Payments on Household Carbon Emission Inequity: Evidence from Micro Households in China

As digital technology becomes increasingly prevalent, mobile payment is exerting a growing impact on socioeconomic activities. This article explores the impact of mobile payments on household carbon emission inequity (HCEI). Drawing on the China Household Finance Survey (CHFS) data, a cross-sectional difference-in-differences (DID) model is employed for empirical analysis. The article reveals that (1) mobile payments exacerbate HCEI by widening the gap between households’ actual carbon emissions and their fair carbon quotas; (2) key mechanisms include increased survival-oriented consumption and the promotion of small-scale, frequent payment behaviors in household spending patterns; and (3) heterogeneity tests reveal that the effect is most significant in urban households, eastern regions, and low-income groups. The research provides policy insights on aligning digital transformation and environmental sustainability, focusing on the role of micro households.