The impact of the Big Data Pilot Policy on urban green energy efficiency

Promoting urban green transformation has become a key pathway to achieving sustainable development. As an essential component of the modern economy, data factors demonstrate significant potential in enhancing the efficiency of energy systems and facilitating green transformation. Based on panel data from 273 prefecture-level cities in China over the period 2010-2023, this study employs a difference-in-differences (DID) model to assess the impact and underlying mechanisms of the Big Data Pilot Policy (TECH) on green energy efficiency (GEEF). The findings are as follows: First, China's GEEF exhibits an overall upward trend and displays a spatial pattern of "higher in the east and lower in the west." Second, TECH significantly improves GEEF, with green innovation (GREEN) and financial development (FINA) playing positive moderating roles. Third, the policy effect of TECH is significant in eastern regions but not in western regions. Finally, TECH exerts cross-regional spillover effects on GEEF. This study expands the theoretical perspective on urban green energy efficiency and provides empirical evidence and policy implications for the deep integration of digital development and green transition, as well as the realization of coordinated regional development.