Digital agriculture's impact on carbon dioxide emissions varies with the economic development of Chinese provinces

This paper investigates the nonlinear relationship between digital empowerment in agriculture and carbon dioxide emissions across 30 Chinese provinces from 2012 to 2021. Using an input-output method and panel data, the study reveals an inverted U-curve relationship, where emissions initially increase with digital empowerment but decrease beyond an inflection point of 0.0862. Digital empowerment reduces emissions by optimizing factor inputs (e.g., fertilizers) and improving allocation efficiency. The impact is more significant in economically developed and major grain-producing regions. The findings suggest policies promoting digital empowerment, but acknowledging the nuanced relationship with economic development and regional agricultural practices.

Mingguo Ma, Jiafen Li, Jianfeng Song, Xiaonan Chen