The effect of technological factors on industrial energy intensity in China: New evidence from the technological diversification

Abstract

Based on China's energy consumption structure, the reduction of energy intensity is conducive to the realization of China's carbon neutrality goal, and technological innovation is the core driving force for reducing energy intensity. This paper utilizes the statistical data of industrial enterprises in China during the period of 2011–2018 to explore the technological innovation value chain efficiency under the background of the new development stage. This study divides the innovation value chain into technological innovation stage and the economic conversion stage. The network slacks-based measure (NSBM) approach is applied to calculate the two different stages’ efficiency. LSDV is utilized to analyze the influence mechanism of technological innovation factors on industrial energy intensity. The main results are as follows: first, the development trend of technological innovation efficiency (TIE) and the economic conversion efficiency (ECE) has heterogeneous effect across economic regions. The comprehensive development trend of innovation value chain in central China is the best among the four economic regions. Second, the effect of TIE on industrial energy intensity is negative, while the ECE is positive related to industrial energy intensity. In terms of technology spillover effect, the impact of import and FDI on industrial energy intensity is negative, respectively. The relationship between export and energy intensity is positive. The energy price has the negative relationship with industrial energy intensity, and the impact of energy price on industrial energy intensity is the largest. Through analyzing the efficiency of innovation value chain and the influence mechanism of technological innovation factors on energy intensity, this paper puts forwards relevant countermeasures and suggestions for effectively reducing industrial energy intensity and promoting high-quality industrial sustainable development. In addition, relevant theoretical research is provided for the sustainable green development.