Can Digital Government Development Enhance Regional Green Innovation? — Evidence From Chinese Cities

Abstract

Based on panel data from 297 Chinese cities during 2016–2023, this study systematically examines the impact of digital government development on regional green innovation and explores its underlying mechanisms. The results show that digital government development significantly promotes regional green innovation. Mechanism analysis reveals that economic agglomeration and high-skilled labor agglomeration serve as important transmission channels through which digital government development enhances regional green innovation. The moderating effect analysis indicates that economic development level strengthens the positive effect of digital government development, whereas fiscal pressure weakens this effect. Furthermore, spatial econometric analysis demonstrates that digital government development generates positive spatial spillover effects on regional green innovation, contributing to coordinated improvement among neighboring regions. In addition, further analysis shows that regional green innovation helps reduce PM2.5 concentrations and improve the comprehensive utilization rate of industrial solid waste.