Inequality of carbon intensity in the Chinese manufacturing sector: The role of information and communication technology infrastructure

China's manufacturing sector accounts for 36 % of the nation's total carbon emissions. Managing manufacturing's carbon intensity is crucial for achieving China's carbon neutrality objectives. However, the difference in carbon intensity levels within the manufacturing sector has been less examined, which prevents the formulation of targeted policies. Among the various options to tackle the issues, the growing information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure is predicted to boost the digitalization of manufacturing industries and reduce carbon intensity. The study measures the inequality of carbon intensity and explores the ICT infrastructure's effect on carbon intensity using manufacturing industry data for 30 provinces from 2001 to 2016. We use the Dagum Gini coefficient to measure the inequality of carbon intensity and find that the carbon intensity inequality of manufacturing has continuously increased over the years. Results reveal that inter-regional differences are the major contributor. Moreover, our results indicate a national convergence of manufacturing carbon intensity using the spatial beta-convergence method. In addition, we find that ICT infrastructure hinders the national convergence of carbon intensity, but it varies across regions and sectors. Thus, we recommend that the government consider regional and sectoral heterogeneity when setting emission reduction targets and planning ICT infrastructure development.

Automated summary

China's manufacturing sector accounts for 36% of the nation's total carbon emissions. Managing carbon intensity within the manufacturing sector is crucial for China to achieve its carbon neutrality objectives. This study examines the inequality of carbon intensity within the sector and the impact of information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure on carbon intensity. The results show that carbon intensity inequality has been increasing over the years, with regional differences being the major contributor. Moreover, the study finds that ICT infrastructure hinders the national convergence of carbon intensity, but the effect varies across regions and sectors.