Impact of Internet development on carbon emission efficiency under carbon neutral target: evidence from global 58 economies

With the introduction of economy carbon neutral target policies one after another worldwide, the carbon emission reduction actions of economies around the world have become a hot topic attracting international attention. Meanwhile, the role of the Internet in energy saving and emissions reduction in economies around the world is also becoming more prominent. However, for now, there is still a lack of in-depth research on the impact and role relationship between Internet development and global economy carbon emission efficiency. Therefore, based on the availability of data, this study used the Malmquist index based on game intersection to measure and analyze carbon emission efficiency based on 58 economies around the world that proposed carbon neutrality targets between 2000 and 2019. The study used a spatial econometric model to explore the impact of Internet development on carbon emission efficiency. The objective was to provide a policy reference for high-, medium-, and low-income economies worldwide to achieve their carbon neutrality targets as soon as possible. The results of the study showed that carbon emission efficiency was closely linked to economic development level in economies around the world, that the gap between the development levels of high- and low-Internet-connected economies is gradually widening, that Internet development significantly improved carbon emission efficiency, that levels of economic and financial development played a mediating role in the relationship between Internet development and carbon emissions efficiency, and that the level of urbanization played a moderating role in the relationship between Internet development and carbon emissions efficiency. Exploring the influence and the mechanism of action between Internet development and carbon emission efficiency will contribute to early achievement of global carbon neutrality targets in all economies.