数字金融是否降低了家庭消费碳排放？

Does Digital Finance Reduce Household Consumption Carbon Emissions?

中文关键词:  数字金融  家庭消费  消费碳排放  消费结构升级  减排效应

英文关键词:digital finance  household consumption  consumption carbon emissions  consumption structure upgrades  emission reduction effect

中文摘要:

      依托互联网、大数据、云计算等数字技术,中国数字金融获得了快速发展, 深刻影响了居民的生活方式和消费习惯, 其在消费端的碳减排效果有待科学评估。基于2015年、2017年和2019年中国家庭金融调查数据以及北京大学发布的数字普惠金融指数, 实证检验了数字金融对家庭消费碳排放的影响及作用机制。研究发现, 数字金融降低了家庭消费碳排放, 且主要通过促进消费结构升级降低了家庭消费碳排放。异质性分析显示, 在西部地区家庭、户主处于失业状态家庭、高消费家庭中以及地区数字金融发展水平较低时, 数字金融降低家庭消费碳排放的效果更加显著。针对数字金融三个维度的进一步分析表明, 相较于数字化程度, 数字金融在覆盖广度、使用深度方面的表现才是降低家庭消费碳排放的关键。因此, 应大力推进数字金融的发展, 并积极推动居民消费结构升级, 有效地降低家庭消费碳排放, 进而助力实现“双碳”目标。

英文摘要:

      By leveraging the Internet, big data, cloud computing, and other digital technologies, China's digital finance has experienced rapid development, significantly influencing the lifestyle and consumption habits of residents. The carbon emission reduction effect of digital finance on consumption warrants scientific assessments. Drawing on data from the China Household Finance Survey in 2015,2017, and 2019 as well as the Digital Financial Inclusion Index published by Peking University, this study empirically examines the influence of digital finance on household consumption carbon emissions (HCCEs) and its underlying mechanisms. The results reveal that digital finance significantly reduces HCCEs, and this effect is mainly achieved by facilitating consumption structure upgrades. Heterogeneity analysis shows that the impact of digital finance on reducing HCCEs is particularly significant in households in the western region, those headed by the unemployed, families with high consumption levels, and regions with lower levels of digital financial development. A more in-depth analysis of the three dimensions of digital finance reveals that the key to reducing HCCEs lies not in the level of digitalization, but rather in the coverage breadth and depth of usage of digital finance. Therefore, it is imperative to vigorously advance digital finance and actively facilitate residents' consumption structure upgrades, effectively reducing HCCEs and thereby contributing to achieving carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals. 