The impact of digital technology innovation on green total-factor energy efficiency in China: Does economic development matter?

Exploring the role of digital technology innovation (DTI) on green total-factor energy efficiency (GTFEE) has been theoretically and empirically neglected, despite its recognition as a crucial catalyst for energy transition. This study investigates the nexus between DTI and GTFEE amidst China's uneven regional economic development. Utilizing a panel dataset spanning 30 provinces in China during 2012–2020, we employ the two-stage super network SBM model incorporating undesired outputs (two-stage super-NSBM) to quantify GTFEE. Furthermore, we harness the partially linear function-coefficient (PLFC) model to scrutinize DTI's impact on GTFEE across varying economic development levels. Our findings unveil that: DTI significantly augments GTFEE, particularly in eastern provinces and during the 13th Five-Year Plan period. DTI's influence on GTFEE is contingent upon economic development levels. Specifically, when per capita GDP surpasses 24150.80 yuan, the marginal enhancement effect emerges, progressively intensifying until reaching a steady state. Across different economic development stages, DTI primarily bolsters GTFEE by impacting green total-factor energy usage efficiency (GTFEUE) rather than green total-factor pollution treatment efficiency (GTFPTE). These insights suggest that to expedite GTFEE improvement, the government should foster DTI while accounting for regional economic development disparities.