How does the digital transformation of agriculture affect carbon emissions? Evidence from China’s provincial panel data

This study investigates the impact of the digital transformation of agriculture (DTA) on agricultural carbon emissions (ACEs) in China. Using provincial panel data from 2015 to 2021, the study finds that DTA significantly reduces ACEs through three main pathways: expanding agricultural production scale, optimizing agricultural industrial structure, and promoting agricultural technological progress. The effect shows significant heterogeneity, primarily impacting eastern and non-tillage production areas. A nonlinear relationship is also observed, with a threshold effect indicating that DTA's impact is insignificant below a certain level and significantly negative above it. The study concludes with policy recommendations for increasing DTA, encouraging scale expansion, emphasizing agricultural service industries, and enhancing technological innovation to reduce ACEs.

Yihui Chen, Minjie Li