Enhancing energy-environmental performance through industrial intelligence: Insights from Chinese prefectural-level cities

Industrial intelligence optimizes resource allocation and enhances productivity, but discussions on its potential to empower green growth are inadequate. Utilizing panel data for 279 Chinese cities from 2008 to 2019, this study investigates the effect of industrial intelligence on urban energy-environmental performance. The findings reveal that industrial intelligence enhances urban energy-environmental performance. Technological innovation, industrial agglomeration and labor upgrading constitute critical conduits for reaping such benefits. Heterogeneity analysis demonstrates that industrial intelligence has more pronounced effects in non-resource-based cities, non-old industrial base cities, big cities and megacities. Our findings impart valuable insights to guide policymaking for expediting China's industrial intelligence advancement and facilitating sustainable urban industrial development. •Industrial intelligence enhances urban energy-environmental performance.•Technological innovation, industrial agglomeration, and labor upgrading are key channels.•Conduct a heterogeneous investigation into the effect of industrial intelligence.•Expand the research boundary of intelligent facilitating green transformation.