Digital Infrastructure Construction and Energy Efficiency: A Literature Review

Authors

  • Jiaojiao Wu Southwest Petroleum University School of Economics and Management, Chendu, Sichuan, 610500, China Author
  • Shijun Gao Southwest Petroleum University School of Economics and Management, Chendu, Sichuan, 610500, China Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63313/EBM.2033

Keywords:

Digital Infrastructure Construction, Energy Efficiency, Total-Factor Energy Efficiency, Energy Rebound Effect, Spatial Spillover

Abstract

Against the backdrop of the digital economy and China’s dual carbon goals, the impact of digital infrastructure construction on energy efficiency has attracted growing academic attention. This paper systematically reviews the existing literature from three perspectives: conceptual measurement, theoretical mechanisms, and literature assessment. The review reveals that digital infrastructure promotes energy efficiency primarily through technological innovation, industrial structure upgrading, and resource allocation optimization, though rebound effects and other negative consequences cannot be overlooked. The current literature largely supports the positive effect of digital infrastructure on energy efficiency and identifies heterogeneity across regions and city sizes as well as significant spatial spillover effects. However, research on micro-level mechanisms and negative effects remains limited.

References

[1] Sadorsky P. Information communication technology and electricity consumption in emerging economies[J]. Energy Policy, 2012, 48: 130-136. DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2012.04.064.

[2] Salahuddin M, Alam K, Ozturk I. The effects of Internet usage and economic growth on CO2 emissions in OECD countries: A panel investigation[J]. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2016, 62: 1226-1235. DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2016.04.018.

[3] Hu J L, Wang S C. Total-factor energy efficiency of regions in China[J]. Energy Policy, 2006, 34(17): 3206-3217. DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2005.06.015.

[4] Lange S, Pohl J, Santarius T. Digitalization and energy consumption: does ICT reduce energy demand?[J]. Ecological Economics, 2020, 176: 106760. DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolecon.2020.106760.

[5] Charfeddine L, Umlai M. ICT sector, digitization and environmental sustainability: A systematic review of the literature from 2000 to 2022[J]. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2023, 184: 113482. DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2023.113482.

[6] Zhao T, Zhang Z, Liang S K. Digital economy, entrepreneurship, and high-quality development: Empirical evidence from Chinese cities[J]. Management World, 2020, 36(10): 65-76. DOI: 10.19744/j.cnki.11-1235/f.2020.0154. (in Chinese)

[7] Zhang H S, Li S P. Digital infrastructure and the advancement of energy industries: Effects and mechanisms[J]. Industrial Economics Research, 2022(5): 15-27+71. DOI: 10.13269/j.cnki.ier.2022.05.005. (in Chinese)

[8] Deng R R, Wu Y F. Shared fortune: Urban digital infrastructure construction and inclusive economic growth[J]. Journal of Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, 2023, 25(1): 3-18. DOI: 10.16538/j.cnki.jsufe.2023.01.001. (in Chinese)

[9] Xu W X, Zhou J P, Liu C J. Spatial effects of digital economy development on urban carbon emissions[J]. Geographical Research, 2022, 41(1): 111-129. DOI: 10.11821/dlyj020210459. (in Chinese)

[10] Li B, Liu J, Liu Q, et al. The effects of broadband infrastructure on carbon emission efficiency of resource-based cities in China: A quasi-natural experiment from the Broadband China pilot policy[J]. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2022, 19(11): 6734. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19116734.

[11] Zhang C, Weng X Y, Guo Y L. Digital infrastructure construction and household energy efficiency: Based on a quasi-natural experiment in China[J]. Science of The Total Environment, 2024, 911: 168544. DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168544.

[12] Tone K. A slacks-based measure of efficiency in data envelopment analysis[J]. European Journal of Operational Research, 2001, 130(3): 498-509. DOI: 10.1016/S0377-2217(99)00407-5.

[13] Tone K. A slacks-based measure of super-efficiency in data envelopment analysis[J]. European Journal of Operational Research, 2002, 143(1): 32-41. DOI: 10.1016/S0377-2217(01)00324-1.

[14] Chen S Y. China’s green industrial revolution: An explanation based on the perspective of environmental total factor productivity (1980-2008)[J]. Economic Research Journal, 2010, 45(11): 21-34+58. DOI: CNKI:SUN:JJYJ.0.2010-11-005. (in Chinese)

[15] Wang B, Wu Y R, Yan P F. Regional environmental efficiency and environmental total factor productivity growth in China[J]. Economic Research Journal, 2010, 45(5): 95-109. DOI: CNKI:SUN:JJYJ.0.2010-05-008. (in Chinese)

[16] Wang Z H, Feng C. Analysis of China’s regional total-factor energy efficiency and its influencing factors: Based on provincial panel data from 2003 to 2010[J]. Systems Engineering — Theory & Practice, 2015, 35(6): 1361-1372.

DOI: JournalArticle/5b3bcf28c095d70f009121a8. (in Chinese)

[17] Zhao S Q, Peng D Y, Wen H W, et al. Nonlinear and spatial spillover effects of the digital economy on green total factor energy efficiency: evidence from 281 cities in China[J]. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 2023, 30(34): 81896-81916. DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-22694-6.

[18] Zhou C Y, Liu D R. Digital economy, green technology innovation, and energy efficiency improvement: An empirical analysis based on urban panel data[J]. Industrial Technology Economics, 2024, 43(1): 41-52. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-910X.2024.01.005. (in Chinese)

[19] Wen Y, Li H S, Zhang L. Digital infrastructure, technological innovation, and low-carbon energy consumption[J]. Economic Geography, 2024, 44(9): 144-152. DOI: 10.15957/j.cnki.jjdl.2024.09.015. (in Chinese)

[20] Freitag C, Berners-Lee M, Widdicks K, et al. The real climate and transformative impact of ICT: A critique of estimates, trends, and regulations[J]. Patterns, 2021, 2(10): 100340. DOI: 10.1016/j.patter.2021.100340.

[21] Peng H R, Zhang Y J, Liu J Y. The energy rebound effect of digital development: evidence from 285 cities in China[J]. Energy, 2023, 270: 126837. DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2023.126837.

[22] Li X W, Li N, Xie Y F. Digital economy, manufacturing agglomeration, and carbon productivity[J]. Journal of Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, 2022(6): 131-145. DOI: 10.19639/j.cnki.issn1003-5230.2022.0074. (in Chinese)

[23] Li Y, Yang X D, Ran Q Y, et al. Energy structure, digital economy, and carbon emissions: evidence from China[J]. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 2021, 28(45): 64606-64629. DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-15304-4.

[24] Fang D L. The impact of digital economy on urban energy efficiency in China: From the perspective of technology empowerment and technology spillover[J]. Resources Science, 2023, 45(2): 296-307. DOI: 10.18402/resci.2023.02.05. (in Chinese)

[25] Ren S G, Hao Y, Xu L L, et al. Digitalization and energy: how does internet development affect China’s energy consumption?[J]. Energy Economics, 2021, 98: 105220. DOI: 10.1016/j.eneco.2021.105220.

[26] Zhou F X, Li L, Wen H W. Regional digital infrastructure and carbon neutrality: A technology-structure-efficiency perspective[J]. Energy Strategy Reviews, 2024, 56: 101583. DOI: 10.1016/j.esr.2024.101583.

[27] Peng H R, Qin X F. Digitalization as a trigger for a rebound effect of electricity use[J]. Energy, 2024, 300: 131585. DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2024.131585.

[28] Santarius T, Pohl J, Lange S. Digitalization and the Decoupling Debate: Can ICT Help to Reduce Environmental Impacts While the Economy Keeps Growing?[J]. Sustainability, 2020, 12(18): 7496. DOI: 10.3390/su12187496.

[29] Chang H L, Xia F L. Digital economy enabling low-carbon development: Mechanism identification and spatial spillover[J]. Science & Technology Progress and Policy, 2023, 40(10): 48-57. DOI: 10.6049/kjjbydc.2022090613. (in Chinese)

[30] Li J M, Wei W Q, Zhang P, et al. Promoting effect and spatial differentiation of digital economy development on synergistic pollution reduction and carbon mitigation in Chinese cities[J]. Economic Geography, 2023, 43(12): 169-180. DOI: 10.15957/j.cnki.jjdl.2023.12.017. (in Chinese)

[31] Wang Y Q, Dong H J. Impact mechanism and spillover effect of digital economy on urban carbon emission performance[J]. Scientia Geographica Sinica, 2025, 45(3): 506-517. DOI: 10.13249/j.cnki.sgs.20230649. (in Chinese)

[32] Wang Y M, Yu X H. Spatial-temporal dynamic effects of digital infrastructure on urban carbon emissions: Evidence from the “Broadband China” quasi-natural experiment[J]. Journal of Chongqing University (Social Sciences Edition), 2025, 31(1): 100-116. DOI: 10.11835/j.issn.1008-5831.jg.2024.10.004. (in Chinese)

Downloads

Published

2026-05-26

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Digital Infrastructure Construction and Energy Efficiency: A Literature Review. (2026). Economics & Business Management, 5(3), 58–68. https://doi.org/10.63313/EBM.2033