Research on the configuration path of digital economy driving urban green transformation from the perspective of"dual carbon":Dynamic QCA analysis based on panel data from 296 cities
ZHAO Hongmei
TIAN Yilin
YU Hui
WANG Zhihui
Abstract：Urban green transformation is a critical link in achieving the "dual carbon" goals.As a key engine of economic growth,the digital economy has emerged as a significant driver for urban green transformation.Using the dynamic QCA method and taking 296 cities from 2013 to 2023 as examples,this study explores the configurational pathways through which the digital economy drives urban green transformation.Findings reveal:① Single antecedent conditions under the digital economy framework—such as information transmission,number of websites per 100 enterprises,e-commerce sales,total digital technology contract volume,and internet penetration rate—are not necessary conditions for urban green transformation.②The configurational pathways driving urban green transformation are summarized into three types:core industry-talent-market synergy-driven pathways,infrastructure-internet-driven pathways,and terminal penetration-platform substitution-driven pathways.③ The inter-group consistency level exhibits a parallel fluctuation trend,with the three pathways being applicable to digital economy mature regions,new infrastructure pioneer areas,and county-level economies with specialized industrial clusters,respectively.The results expand the theoretical perspective and framework of urban green transformation pathways,providing empirical evidence for leveraging the digital economy to advance urban green transformation.foundation.
Keywords：dual carbondigital economyurban green transformationconfiguration path
Publication Date：2026-01-28
Online Publishing Date：2026-03-19(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：9( 71-79 )