Digital technology empowers low-carbon development of manufacturing industry: A bibliometric review and research agenda

As the “peak carbon” and “carbon neutral” target strategies deepen, the manufacturing industry, as an important part of the economy, faces the dual challenge of reducing carbon emissions while maintaining economic efficiency. The advent of digital technologies offers innovative ways to address this challenge. First, research literature closely related to digital technology and low- carbon development in manufacturing was collected. A sample repository of 657 documents was created to explore the state of research on digital technology enabling low-carbon development in manufacturing. A theoretical analytical framework is also developed in the paper. Second, it clarifies the concept of digital technology and low-carbon development, reveals the trend of development towards low-carbon intelligent manufacturing, and analyses the realization, scenario application and expected impact of digital technology to enable low-carbon development of the manufacturing industry. Third, this paper proposes a technological pathway for digital technology to enable low-carbon development in manufacturing. Finally, we look forward to future research directions and hope that this study can provide reference for empowering low-carbon development in the manufacturing industry with digital technology.