Nexus among government digital development, resource dependence, and carbon emissions in China

Government digital development uses data technology to empower data for economic and social benefits, making social governance more scientific and efficient. Using unbalanced panel data of Chinese cities from 2006 to 2019, this paper explores the relationship between government digital development, fossil energy dependence, and urban carbon emissions. The results show that government digital development can effectively curb urban carbon emissions. The “ carbon curse ” phenomenon does exist at the city level in China, and government digital development is an effective way to break the “carbon curse.” Heterogeneity analyses show that the digitalization of government significantly reduces the carbon emissions of cities in the East-Central region and the Yangtze River Economic Belt. Promoting government digital development in large cities can effectively break the “carbon curse.” In addition, government digital development can also curb urban carbon emissions through structural, innovation, and resource allocation effects. Therefore, due attention should be paid to the digital development of government, which in turn will leverage digital advantages and eliminate the adverse effects of fossil energy dependence. This is of profound theoretical and practical significance for curbing urban carbon emissions and promoting green economic development. © 2024 Elsevier Ltd