Promoting or inhibiting: the impact of China’s urban-rural digital divide on regional environmental development

Based on the panel data of 30 provinces in China from 2013 to 2020, this paper uses the panel fixed effect model and threshold regression method to systematically examine the impact of the urban-rural digital divide on regional environmental development from the perspective of technological innovation and human capital. The study found that the urban-rural digital divide significantly inhibited regional environmental development; however, this inhibitory effect will be substantially reduced in technological innovation and human capital adjustment. Furthermore, technological innovation and human capital have played a significant single threshold effect in the impact of the urban-rural digital divide on regional environmental development. When technological innovation and human capital cross the corresponding threshold value, the adverse effects of the urban-rural digital divide on the regional environment will be alleviated. Therefore, it is suggested to strengthen the construction of rural information infrastructure; research and develop key technologies for ecological protection and environmental governance; build an ecological environment science and technology innovation system; and promote the sharing of human resources in the region and the ability of rural residents to apply digital resources and digital technology.