Digital economy, industrial structure upgrading, and carbon emission intensity in the livestock sector: empirical evidence from China

Summary

This empirical study examines how digital economy development reduces carbon emission intensity in China's livestock sector using provincial panel data (2012–2022). The authors find that the digital economy significantly lowers livestock CEI (coefficient −1.131) partly through industrial structure upgrading, whilst demonstrating nonlinear relationships with diminishing marginal returns at higher thresholds of industrial upgrading, population density, and agricultural structure. The findings inform China's 'Dual Carbon' climate targets and suggest targeted digital infrastructure investment as a policy lever for green livestock sector transformation.

Regional applicability

This study is specific to China's provincial context and policy framework (Dual Carbon goals). Its transferability to United Kingdom livestock systems is limited, though the conceptual pathway—that digital economy tools (precision livestock management, supply chain optimisation, data-driven efficiency) can reduce emissions intensity—may inform UK net-zero livestock strategies. The institutional, market, and technological contexts differ substantially.

Key measures

Carbon emission intensity of livestock sector; digital economy index; industrial structure upgrading; population density; agricultural industrial structure; threshold values (2.3248, 0.0720, 0.9170)

Outcomes reported

The study measured the effect of digital economy development on carbon emission intensity (CEI) of the livestock sector across 30 Chinese provinces (2012–2022), and examined industrial structure upgrading as a mediating mechanism. Results showed a significant negative relationship between digital economy development and livestock CEI, with nonlinear threshold effects identified.

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