The impact of renewable energy consumption on lithium trade patterns: An industrial chain perspective

Abstract

Drawing on international panel data from 2000 to 2019, we examine the structural characteristics of the global lithium trade network and investigate the impact of renewable energy consumption on lithium trade patterns from an industrial chain perspective. The findings indicate that different countries play different roles and hold different central positions in the international lithium network. Compared to lithium raw materials, the trade network in lithium products has stronger connectivity and constitutes the bulk of the lithium trade. Regression results reveal that renewable energy consumption significantly affects lithium trade patterns. For lithium raw materials, renewable energy consumption can increase the weighted degree. For lithium products, renewable energy consumption significantly and positively affects the degree centrality and weighted degree. In addition, the effects vary across countries with different income levels. Renewable energy consumption has a greater positive impact on degree centrality in low- and middle-income economies than in high-income economies.