Inequality in urban household energy consumption for 30 Chinese provinces

Abstract

Reducing inequality in energy consumption is critical for sustainable development and the achievement of climate goals. Using an environmentally extended input-output analysis, this study measured the urban household energy consumption of different income groups in China for the years 2012, 2015, and 2017. Gini coefficients were used to measure inequality within each province, while the regional environment inequality index was used to measure inequality between provinces. The energy consumption showed a decreasing trend from the eastern coast to the western interior. In contrast, the per capita energy consumption showed an increasing trend from the southeastern coast to the northwestern interior. In 2015, the high-income groups accounted for 45% of the country's total energy consumption, while the low-income groups accounted for only 4%. Between 2012 and 2017, the level of inequality in energy consumption between provinces gradually increased, while the level of inequality within provinces gradually decreased. Among the various consumption categories, the Gini coefficients for necessities were generally smaller, whereas those for services were generally larger. However, the differences between consumption categories gradually decreased.