Understanding inter-term fossil energy consumption pathways in China based on sustainable development goals

Abstract

Sustainable development goals (SDGs) and fossil energy are the core elements of almost all major challenges and opportunities for achieving social development. Particularly, energy sustainability has become one of the pivotal drivers of China's economy. This study constructed a comprehensive evaluation index system for the provincial-level sustainable development of fossil energy in China covering three major dimensions (socio-economic, resource, and environmental). Moreover, a set of criteria for measuring the SDGs of fossil energy at the national level in China was developed. Based on the provincial panel data collected from 30 provinces from 2010 through 2019, a spatial econometric model was applied to empirically evaluate the effects of SDGs on fossil energy consumption. The results showed that the SDGs not only promote the reduction of fossil energy consumption with substantial negative spatial spillover effects, but also revealed differences between northern and southern China. To promote the early achievement of sustainable fossil energy development in China, the transformation and upgradation of fossil energy systems should be conducted early and inter-regional cooperation should be strengthened according to local conditions to jointly achieve the SDGs.