The Non-Linear Impact of the Digital Economy on Carbon Emissions Based on a Mediated Effects Model

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Abstract, why do we need to have guidelines? “in order to provide some guidelines”

Abstract, we should pay attention to the negative environmental externalities of its own large infrastructure, pay attention to seems to be strange here.

First five lines in abstract should be condensed “In the increasingly digital era, in order to provide some guidelines for the benign development of China's digital economy, to fulfil the task of energy conservation and emission reduction,
and to achieve the double carbon target, it is important to accurately determine the extent of digital economy's impact on carbon emissions and to clarify the mechanism of digital economy's effect on carbon emissions.”

State originality of this research, practical, academic and policy contributions of the paper.

p.2 The booming development of is not good here.

p.2, ICT (information and communication), ICT should be put to bracket after information and communication

p.2, Kae Takase and Yasuhiro Murota (2010), incorrect citation?

Section 2.1-2.3 have missing citation.

Section 3.1, what is Baseline regression model? Is it the same as multiple regression? What are the differences between the above mentioned model? What is the software that can run baseline regression?

Section 3.3, SMAR? What is that full name?

Section 3.3, Variable selection and data sources should include citations so that we can know why these variables are selected but not the others.

Section 4.1 Hausman test needs citation and more details.

References: [j] is not needed.

Add some more updated papers related to carbon emissions: Achieving carbon neutrality-The role of heterogeneous environmental regulations on urban green innovation

Table 1, please state where are the sources of data after the Table name label Descriptive statistics of variables

Description of Table 2. Baseline regression results should be placed before the Table but not after the Table 2.

Research method section should include all models ‘ information, e.g. Panel PCSE estimation and FGLS. Research method should be placed before results.

p.8 Metcalfe's law, should be stated with citations.

U-shape study of carbon emissions should be compared with yours to highlight the originality of this paper: Xia et al A study on the impact of fiscal decentralization on carbon emissions with U-shape and regulatory effect

Expand the references section by at least 10 more citations.

Please copy edit the paper.

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

The article is an interesting analysis of the relationship between the degree of development of the digital economy and the level of carbon emissions. In the context of the growing problem of global climate change, this issue is extremely important, both from a scientific and practical point of view. Importantly, the authors also point to the mechanisms determining the nature of the examined dependence.
The article has a logical structure, the problem and research hypotheses are precisely formulated, the methods used are adequate and the conclusions contained in the final part of the work are supported by research results. Considering the above issues, the article deserves to be published in the journal Sustainabilty.
However, some aspects require the authors' attention before publication.
First, there are repetitions in the text at the beginning of the "Core expnalatory variables" and "Control variables" sections.
Secondly, the literature review does not contain any references to literature sources, hence it is not known on the basis of which research the authors make important assumptions for the work, e.g. on what basis they forecast the structure of electricity consumption in the future. Moreover, the number of cited sources is relatively small.
Finally, one more issue should be taken into account in the analyzed model. Namely, with the increase in the share of digital technologies in the economy, the share of traditional branches of production (including, above all, industry) in GDP decreases. And given the fact that industry is the main emitter of greenhouse gases, this may also affect the results obtained.
Finally, although this is rather a suggestion for future research by the authors, it is worth comparing the results obtained for the Chinese economy with other national economies - both highly developed and developing ones.

Please remove the above mentioned repetitions in the text

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

Rewrite the title as “The non-linear impact of the digital economy on carbon emis-
sions: an xx approach”

Copy edit and shorten “In an increasingly digital age, it is important to explore the extent of the impact of the digital economy on carbon emissions, and to clarify the mechanisms by which the digital economy affects carbon emissions, for China to achieve its dual carbon target.” in abstract

In introduction, copy edit “The approaching "Carbon peaking and carbon neutrality" has greatly accelerated the transformation of production and lifestyles, and the transformation of energy con-” Transformation twice?

p.2, GDP accounting framework system, what is that?

 

2.2 Digital Economy, Energy Mix, and Carbon Emission, what is energy mix? Add one short paragraph for this section.

2.3 “Knowledge sharing based on network communication greatly stimulates the potential of scientific research and innovation, and knowledge diffusion and innovation collaboration promote green technology innovation and improve energy efficiency[25].” It seems this part cannot match with the previous sentences ad afterwards. Section 2.3 might need restructuring to enhance readability and smooth flow.

H2 and H3 are not related to knowledge so the knowledge part can be removed and replaced by some relevant contents?

3.1 Benchmark multiple regression model, what is this? Please add and what is the difference between regression and this one?

What is Intermediate mechanism test? Please state.

Footnote one needs to be in proper citation format.

Two paragraphs in intermediate variables[28] should be combined.

Table 1, add the source of the data and the frequency of the data and duration.

Add 3.2 citations

Hausman test(P value of nil) for cross-sectional correlation and heteroskedasticity, the fixed effects model should be stated in research method section, model maths should be added.

Brief description of what is Robustness analysis should be added.

Add future direction in conclusion, extend originality, research gap it filled, policy, practical and academic contribution of this paper.

[J] is not needed in references, please remove.

Based on existing research[29][30][31], extend this and state what do 29-31 state.

A reason for the robustness test, say “Robustness test
As discussed earlier, with the traditional approaches, the existence of
CSD and the heterogeneity in slope parameters may lead to estimators’
spurious results “ should be added like Shao, X., Zhong, Y., Liu, W., & Li, R. Y. M. (2021). Modeling the effect of green technology innovation and renewable energy on carbon neutrality in N-11 countries? Evidence from advance panel estimations. Journal of Environmental Management, 296, 113189. doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.113189

Very substantial english copy editing is needed.

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf