Unveiling the impact of digital transformation on carbon emissions: evidence from China’s construction enterprises

Abstract

This paper examines how digital transformation (DT) impacts carbon emission intensity (CEI) in construction enterprises (CEs) amid global low-carbon development concerns. Using a difference-in-difference method on data from 170 Chinese CEs, the study finds that DT significantly reduces CEI. Labour structure upgrading partially mediates this relationship, while the green innovation and green supply chain optimization do not show mediating impacts. The constraining impact of DT on CEI is significant in state-owned and large enterprises but not in non-state-owned and small ones. These insights help understand DT’s role in promoting environmentally friendly growth in CEs.