What are the roles of green technology innovation and ICT employment in lowering carbon intensity in China? A city-level analysis of the spatial effects

China is attempting to establish a feasible pattern for boosting economic structural transition, transforming energy structure, improving energy efficiency, and assuming responsibilities in the international community synchronously. This paper aims to investigate the nexus between green technology innovation (GTI), Information and Communication Technology (ICT) employment, and low carbon development. Drawing on the spatial Durbin model and panel data at the city level, I explored the impacts of GTI and ICT in lowering carbon intensity while considering spatial dependence from 2003 to 2017 in China. My empirical findings indicated that GTI and ICT not only play important roles in lowering local carbon intensity but also imposing positive and negative spatial spillover effects from the local cities to their neighboring cities. My examination of the transmission mechanism illustrates this concept except for the direct carbon mitigation impact. As a general-purpose technology, ICT also exerts an indirect effect in lowering carbon intensity via GTI. Heterogeneity tests reveal that both GTI and ICT have greater impacts on Eastern than Middle-Western regions to lower carbon intensity. Thus, policymakers should enhance the multi-dimensional region collaboration, the diffusion strength of informatization, and the absorptive capacity of technological innovation. The empirical evidence of this study also inspires confidence in accelerating industrial transition and optimizing energy structure toward carbon neutrality by boosting the expansion of ICT-related human capital.