Socioeconomic drivers of water withdrawals driven by provincial energy demand in China

Abstract

Energy and water resources are essential to human beings, and energy and water systems are closely interconnected. Existing studies have quantified the energy-water nexus in China, but the socioeconomic factors that influence the provincial energy-water nexus have not been assessed. This study quantified the water withdrawals driven by the provincial final demand of energy products, and explored the driving factors of the provincial energy-water nexus in China from 2007 to 2012. The results show that actions to reduce the water withdrawals should focus on the changes in energy demand structure and per capita energy demand in economically developed and populous provinces (e.g., Beijing, Guangdong, and Jiangsu). For water-scarce and energy resource-abundant provinces (e.g., Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia, and Anhui), the changes in water withdrawal intensity and production structure will have more impacts on water withdrawal reductions. Furthermore, the reduction of water withdrawals in Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia, Heilongjiang, Shanxi, and Anhui is highly linked to the energy demand in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong, and Jiangsu. Population growth has small effects on the energy-water nexus in China. Considering inter-provincial trade in energy-water-related policies can contribute to sustainable energy and water resource management in China.