Digital growth and energy burden inequality: challenges in China’s low-carbon transition

This paper examines the impact of digital economy development on household energy burden inequality in the context of China’s low-carbon transition. Using panel data from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) covering the years 2012–2022, the empirical analysis suggests that while the digital economy has grown rapidly, it has also exacerbated the inequality in household energy burdens. The mechanism analysis indicates that the development of the digital economy primarily affects energy expenditure inequality, especially spending on clean energy, which contributes to disparities in household energy burdens. Moreover, significant differences in energy burdens exist between urban and rural households, with rural households facing heavier energy burdens than their urban counterparts. The inequality in energy burdens also varies across different income groups, with the disparity becoming more pronounced. The findings of this paper provide scientific evidence and policy implications for energy transition and the cautious promotion of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality.