How does the digital economy enhance carbon emission efficiency in the logistics industry? Empirical evidence from 30 Chinese provinces

The rapid advancement of digital infrastructure has accelerated the rise of the digital economy, now a key driver of industrial transformation. This study investigates how the digital economy influences carbon emission efficiency in the logistics industry, drawing on panel data from 30 Chinese provinces between 2012 and 2021. It further examines the mediating roles of industrial structural upgrading and energy structure, as well as heterogeneity and spatial spillover effects. The digital economy was measured using the entropy method, while carbon emission efficiency was assessed with the super-SBM model, followed by benchmark regression to test inter-factor relationships. The findings reveal a nonlinear relationship between the digital economy and carbon emission efficiency. Specifically, the digital economy enhances efficiency both directly and indirectly by fostering industrial structure upgrading and optimizing energy structure. Significant regional disparities were also identified, with nonlinear spatial spillover effects on neighboring provinces. Unlike prior research, this study employs a more rigorous methodological framework with a focused analysis of the logistics industry. The results enrich academic understanding of the digital economy–carbon emission efficiency nexus and offer practical insights into leveraging digital transformation to promote sustainable and green development in the logistics industry.