From digital to green: the effect of corporate digital transformation on pollution emission intensity

Digital transformation is a key driver of the optimization and upgrading of China’s economic structure and a core element in the transition of China’s economic and social development towards green growth. This paper empirically analyzes the impact of corporate digital transformation on pollution emission intensity and its mechanisms. The results indicate that digital transformation significantly enhances corporate pollution emission intensity. The effect is more significant for enterprises in labor-intensive enterprises, and heavily polluting enterprises. Management efficiency, green technological innovation, and total factor productivity are important mechanisms through which digital transformation improves pollution emission intensity. This study provides empirical evidence and policy references for China to explore new paths for green and transformative development.