Why has the energy-output ratio fallen in China?
In China, between 1978 and 1995, energy use per unit of GDP fell by 55%. There has been considerable debate about the major factors responsible for this dramatic decline in the energy-output ratio. In this paper the authors use the two most recent input-output tables to decompose the reduction in energy use into technical change and various types of structural change, including changes in the quantity and composition of imports and exports. In performing their analysis the authors are forced to deal with a number of problems with relevant Chinese data and introduce some simple adjustments to improve the consistency of the input-output tables. The main conclusion is that between 1987 and 1992, technical change within sectors accounted for most of the fall in the energy-output ratio. Structural change actually increased the use of energy. An increase in the import of some energy-intensive products also contributed to the decline in energy intensity.
- Research Organization:
- Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC (US)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- FG02-95ER62133
- OSTI ID:
- 20013729
- Journal Information:
- Energy Journal, Vol. 20, Issue 3; Other Information: PBD: 1999; ISSN 0195-6574
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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