Emerging enablers of green low-carbon development: Do digital economy and open innovation matter?

As emerging drivers, the enabling role of digital economy (DIE) and open innovation (OPI) in green low-carbon development (GLD) may be underestimated. In the context of digital development and knowledge sharing, the study examines the direct enabling impact and spatial interdependence of DIE and OPI on GLD in China from multidimensional perspectives of adjacency, geography and economy. The results show that DIE and OPI can not only positively promote local GLD by means of technological innovation and green information sharing, but also possess a vital impact on the GLD of geographically close or economically similar areas through spillover effect. Besides, the diffusion effect of DIE, which positively affects green low-carbon development in similar regions, is proven to transcend the negative siphon effect. Compared with open innovation, digital economy plays a stronger direct and indirect spillover role, becoming a priority enabler for GLD. Moreover, the spillover effects of digital economy and open innovation on green low-carbon development exhibit geographical boundaries. Based on these findings, governments can promote green low-carbon development by integrating digital technologies, fostering collaborative innovation and facilitating regional cooperation.