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Asymmetric macroeconomic determinants of energy intensity in China: does economic development matter?

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Abstract

Previously, several studies have tried to analyze the various determinants of energy intensity for different countries and regions. However, none of the studies have focused on the asymmetric determinants of energy intensity in the context of China. Therefore, the primary aim of this study is to investigate the asymmetric determinants of energy intensity in China. We have gathered data for China over the period 1985–2019 and applied linear and non-linear ARDL models. In the linear model, only energy prices reduce the energy intensity in the long run. Moreover, the long-run effects of both energy prices and economic development are asymmetric; however, positive changes in both variables help to reduce energy intensity. Clearly, the results are asymmetric in nature; hence, the policymakers should consider both positive and negative shocks in energy prices and economic development while making any policy with regard to lowering energy intensity.

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Data availability

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Academy of Development of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China

    Hai Lan & Chengping Cheng

  2. College of Economics and Management, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, China

    Muhammad Afaq Haider Jafri

  3. Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE), Islamabad, Pakistan

    Sidra Sohail

Authors
  1. Hai Lan
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  2. Chengping Cheng
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  3. Muhammad Afaq Haider Jafri
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  4. Sidra Sohail
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Contributions

This idea was given by Hai Lan. Hai Lan and Chengping Cheng analyzed the data and wrote the complete paper, while Muhammad Afaq Haider Jafri and Sidra Sohail read and approved the final version.

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Correspondence to Chengping Cheng or Sidra Sohail.

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Lan, H., Cheng, C., Jafri, M.A.H. et al. Asymmetric macroeconomic determinants of energy intensity in China: does economic development matter?. Environ Sci Pollut Res 29, 45656–45664 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-19036-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-19036-x

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