The impact of the digital economy development on haze pollution: evidence from the perspective of factor marketization

How to eliminate haze pollution is a major concern for all countries around the world. Based on panel data from 286 cities in China from 2011 to 2019, the article examines the impact of the digital economy development (DIGS) on haze pollution and the impact of transmission mechanisms in different dimensions using various methods such as the fixed effects model, mediated effects model, and threshold effects model. The study found that firstly, DIGS helps reduce pollution, and further research found that DIGS contributes to the reduction of haze pollution in the western region by improving the market allocation of factors. Secondly, the study concludes that the DIGS shows heterogeneity by dividing the full sample according to region, level of factor marketization, and city size. Finally, the threshold test model finds that the relationship between the DIGS and haze pollution is non-linear depending on the economic development level. The research in this paper provides new research literature on the development of the digital economy and the reduction of haze pollution, contributing to the development of a green economy in China.