The Combined Impact of Dual Policies on Carbon Reduction: A Study Focusing on Broadband China and Low-Carbon Pilot Policies

In the era of digital economy and green development, the broadband China and low-carbon pilot policies have a significant impact on carbon emission reduction. This paper regards the "broadband China and low-carbon pilot" policy as a quasi-natural experiment to study the superimposed effect and mechanism of the carbon reduction effect of the two policies. It is found that the dual policy has a better carbon reduction effect, with superposition effects of 0.21 and 0.235 respectively compared to the single policies. Heterogeneity analysis shows that the effect of dual policy implementation on carbon emissions is more ideal in western cities, those with a higher degree of government intervention, and non-resource-based cities. The mechanism analysis reveals that the dual policy can reduce carbon emissions through industrial structure upgrading, energy structure, and technological innovation, with the energy structure having the strongest carbon reduction effect. The following suggestions are made: First, strengthen strategic coordination and promote policy integration. Second, improve carbon reduction targets and paths based on local conditions. Third, enhance the carbon reduction mechanism of the dual policy.