Effects of Information and Communication Technology on Total-Factor Carbon Emission Efficiency and the Health Co-Benefits

Frontiers in Public Health, 11. DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1301627

12 Pages Posted: 22 Jan 2024

See all articles by Jingying Linghu

Jingying Linghu

Beijing Normal University (BNU)

Michal Wojewodzki

Faculty of Business, Lingnan University

Tsun Se Cheong

The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong

Date Written: January 5, 2024

Abstract

Information and communication technology (ICT) has great potential to propel economic development toward a low-carbon direction. This study aims to investigate the effect of ICT development on total-factor carbon emission efficiency (TFCEE), as well as its public health co-benefits. We use dynamic (threshold) models and a panel of 30 Chinese provinces from 2008 to 2019. The results suggest that ICT significantly and positively impacts the TFCEE. Specifically, for every 10 per cent increase in the internet development index, the TFCEE increases by 0.11 per cent. Moreover, we find that ICT development indirectly improves the TFCEE by promoting green innovation and energy structure optimization. Furthermore, when green innovation (energy structure represented by the share of coal) switches from below to above (above to below) its threshold value, the promotion effect of ICT development on the TFCEE increases. Additionally, the results show that improving the TFCEE can lead to co-benefits in strengthening China's public health. This study delivers novel insights on promoting the TFCEE through the ICT channel and highlights its positive health-related externalities. Furthermore, we offer policy recommendations to Chinese decision-makers, which can apply to other emerging economies battling similar issues.

Note:

Funding Information: The author(s) declare that no financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Conflict of Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Keywords: information and communication technology development, total-factor carbon emission efficiency, health, dynamic threshold model, moderating effect

Suggested Citation

Linghu, Jingying and Wojewodzki, Michal and Cheong, Tsun Se, Effects of Information and Communication Technology on Total-Factor Carbon Emission Efficiency and the Health Co-Benefits (January 5, 2024). Frontiers in Public Health, 11. DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1301627, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4696311

Jingying Linghu

Beijing Normal University (BNU)

19 Xinjiekou Outer St
Haidian District
Beijing, Guangdong 100875
China

Michal Wojewodzki (Contact Author)

Faculty of Business, Lingnan University ( email )

8 Castle Peak Road
Tuen Mun
Hong Kong

Tsun Se Cheong

The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong ( email )

Hang Shin Link
Siu Lek Yuen
Shatin, Hong Kong
China

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