Can the rise of the manufacturing value chain be the driving force of energy conservation and emission reduction in China?

Abstract

China is the largest country in energy consumption and carbon emissions. At the same time, with the continuous rise of China's manufacturing value chain, the impact of the manufacturing value chain on energy conservation and emission reduction is a very necessary and key research. This paper theoretically analyzes the impact of value chain climbing in manufacturing industry on energy conservation and emission reduction, and empirically tests the relationship between the two. This paper further explores the transmission mechanism between the two, and analyzes the hierarchical heterogeneity of the manufacturing industry. It is found that the ascent of manufacturing value chain has a significant promoting effect on energy conservation and emission reduction. In this conduction path, the innovation-driven effect and the structural upgrading effect play a positive role in promoting. Among them, the innovation-driven effect is more powerful and effective in promoting energy conservation and emission reduction. Further analysis shows that in this path, different industries have asymmetric effects on energy saving and emission reduction. Energy-intensive industries have huge potential for energy conservation and emission reduction. In the process of upgrading, technology-intensive industries have a more significant effect of energy conservation and emission reduction, which enables energy conservation, emission reduction, quality and efficiency improvement. In this paper, the policy system of energy saving and emission reduction should be carried out simultaneously. More importantly, it should be detailed by manufacturing industry category. This can greatly improve the efficiency of policy implementation. Finally, “precise energy saving” and “precise emission reduction” will be realized.