Can the digital economy save our lungs and the planet?

A new study from Henan University of Urban Construction shows that a "Green Digital Shift" could slash energy use and significantly improve public health by 2030

2026-02-09

(Press-News.org) As high-speed internet, cloud computing, and digital platforms become the backbone of modern life, a vital question emerges: Is this digital explosion good for the environment? A sophisticated new economic simulation reveals that the answer is a resounding "yes"—provided we choose the green path.

In a study recently published in Carbon Research, researchers have modeled the future of China's economy to quantify how the digital industry affects everything from carbon footprints to human life expectancy. Led by Professor Songtao Huo from Henan University of Urban Construction, the team used a Dynamic Energy Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) model to simulate different growth scenarios through the year 2030.

The findings suggest that the digital economy is not just about faster data; it is a powerful lever for environmental and physical health. Under a "Green Digital Economy" scenario, the research predicts a dramatic decoupling of economic growth from pollution.

"The digital economy is the new engine of global expansion, but its true value lies in its potential to harmonize wealth with wellness," says Professor Songtao Huo. "Our model shows that by integrating digital growth with green energy, we can significantly lower PM2.5 concentrations and prevent health losses caused by industrial pollution."

The Power of the Green Digital Shift:

Energy Efficiency: By 2030, a green digital transformation could slash total energy consumption to 250 million tons of standard coal equivalent (tce)—a nearly 20% reduction compared to business-as-usual projections.

Cleaner Air, Better Health: The study forecasts a significant drop in air pollution. PM2.5 concentrations could fall to approximately 22.36 µg/m³ by 2030, an 11.5% improvement that directly translates to fewer respiratory illnesses and a healthier population. Economic Win-Win: Going green doesn't mean slowing down. The simulation found that the GDP growth rate under the green digital scenario actually outperforms the base scenario, proving that sustainability is a driver of prosperity, not a barrier. Smart Policy: The research provides a data-backed roadmap for policymakers, emphasizing that the development of digital infrastructure must go hand-in-hand with renewable energy to maximize benefits. This research, anchored at Henan University of Urban Construction, serves as a critical guide for urban planners and national leaders. It highlights that the transition to a digital-first economy offers a rare opportunity to "reset" our environmental impact, clearing the skies while boosting the bottom line.

By quantifying the hidden health benefits of a digital-green alliance, Professor Huo’s work moves the conversation beyond simple carbon counting and focuses on what matters most: the well-being of the people living within these shifting economic landscapes.

Corresponding Author:

Songtao Huo

Henan University of Urban Construction, Pingdingshan, 467036, China.

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Journal reference: Deng, L., Huo, S. Impact of digital economy industry development on carbon emissions and human health: analysis based on China dynamic energy computable general equilibrium model. Carbon Res. 5, 6 (2026).

https://doi.org/10.1007/s44246-025-00245-1

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About Carbon Research

The journal Carbon Research is an international multidisciplinary platform for communicating advances in fundamental and applied research on natural and engineered carbonaceous materials that are associated with ecological and environmental functions, energy generation, and global change. It is a fully Open Access (OA) journal and the Article Publishing Charges (APC) are waived until Dec 31, 2025. It is dedicated to serving as an innovative, efficient and professional platform for researchers in the field of carbon functions around the world to deliver findings from this rapidly expanding field of science. The journal is currently indexed by Scopus and Ei Compendex, and as of June 2025, the dynamic CiteScore value is 15.4.

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Can the digital economy save our lungs and the planet?

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