A Study on the Impact of Digital Transformation on Carbon Emissions Reduction Performance in Export-Oriented Manufacturing Enterprises: An Empirical Analysis Based on Listed Company Data

Abstract

Driven by the ‘Dual Carbon’ goals, reducing carbon emissions has become a consensus amongst enterprises. As an emerging economic model, the digital economy—with its characteristics of efficiency, intelligence and innovation—is emerging as a key driver of carbon emission reductions. Export-oriented manufacturing enterprises, as key producers facilitating the integration of the Chinese economy into global value chains, are crucial to the realisation of the ‘Dual Carbon’ goals. Given that China’s digital transformation began in 2011 and the availability of relevant data, this study utilises panel data from 1,093 listed export-oriented manufacturing enterprises in China between 2012 and 2021 to examine the impact of digital transformation on their carbon emission reduction performance. The findings reveal that: (1) export-oriented manufacturing enterprises have enhanced their carbon emission reduction performance through digital transformation; (2) Green technological innovation and factor allocation efficiency act as mediating variables, whilst environmental regulations can dampen the positive impact of digital transformation on carbon emission reduction performance; (3) The driving effect of digital transformation on the carbon emission reduction performance of export-oriented manufacturing enterprises varies across regions. Based on these findings, targeted recommendations are proposed from both the government and enterprise perspectives to better facilitate enterprises’ green transformation and green innovation, thereby further enhancing their carbon emission reduction performance.