Does Coal Consumption Control Policy Synergistically Control Emissions and Energy Intensity?

Abstract

The coal consumption constraint policy (CCCP) serves a crucial role in the maintenance of environmental and economic sustainability for China. However, it is debatable whether the CCCP reduces emissions and energy intensity. The present study explores the impact and realization pathways of the CCCP on energy and emissions intensity at the city level from 2005 to 2019 using a time-varying difference-in-differences (DID) and structural equation model (SEM) approach. We find that the CCCP can control emissions and energy intensity synergistically. Particularly, the CCCP has significantly reduced SO2 and CO2 emission intensity and energy intensity by 0.1283%, 0.0747%, and 0.2493%, respectively. Moreover, the CCCP can effectively reduce emissions intensity through industrial restructuring, and technology advancement is the only effective way to reduce energy intensity. The study provides some valuable suggestions to enable the control of coal consumption.