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China’s Contributions to Global Green Energy and Low-Carbon Development: Empirical Evidence under the Belt and Road Framework

Author

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  • Hongze Li

    (School of Economics and Management, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China
    Beijing Key Laboratory of New Energy and Low-Carbon Development, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China)

  • FengYun Li

    (School of Economics and Management, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China)

  • Xinhua Yu

    (School of Economics and Management, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China)

Abstract

This paper aims to explore China’s contributions to global green energy and low-carbon (GELC) development based on the Belt and Road (B&R) Initiative. Basic situations of B&R countries reveal an urgent requirement for developing green energy. Carbon intensity is an efficient indicator reflecting the degree of GELC development, which is affected by many factors. By analyzing the spatial distribution of carbon intensities in 29 B&R countries excluding China, the spatial agglomeration and positive radiation effects are discovered, while the negative radiation effects are disappearing, indicating that the studied B&R countries lack an effective driving mechanism to promote GELC development. Besides, the spatial convergence results support significant absolute and conditional convergences in the 29 B&R countries, and a faster convergence speed when considering control variables. Therefore, B&R countries trend to converge to a steady stable carbon intensity to achieve the GELC development. Furthermore, the investment rate and openness play a driving role in pushing the decrease of carbon intensity growth rate, revealing that the B&R Initiative can promote reducing the global carbon emissions and developing global green energy. Moreover, the carbon intensity of the country will be positively affected by those of the surrounding areas, indicating that reducing carbon emission is a global governance issue requiring the participation of all countries. Finally, several policy suggestions are proposed to promote the global GELC development under B&R framework, according to the empirical findings.

Suggested Citation

  • Hongze Li & FengYun Li & Xinhua Yu, 2018. "China’s Contributions to Global Green Energy and Low-Carbon Development: Empirical Evidence under the Belt and Road Framework," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-32, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:11:y:2018:i:6:p:1527-:d:152099
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    2. Bin Liu & Chan Lu & Chun Yi, 2023. "Research on Green and Low-Carbon Rural Development in China: A Scientometric Analysis Using CiteSpace (1979–2021)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-16, January.
    3. Yan Wu & Cong Hu & Xunpeng Shi, 2021. "Heterogeneous Effects of the Belt and Road Initiative on Energy Efficiency in Participating Countries," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-21, September.
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    5. Yan Wu & Chunlai Chen & Cong Hu, 2021. "Does the Belt and Road Initiative Increase the Carbon Emission Intensity of Participating Countries?," China & World Economy, Institute of World Economics and Politics, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, vol. 29(3), pages 1-25, May.
    6. Min Lu & Xing Wang & Yuquan Cang, 2018. "Carbon Productivity: Findings from Industry Case Studies in Beijing," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-19, October.
    7. Saeed Ur Rahman & Zia Ur Rahman & Maryam Ibrahim, 2022. "Validity of Environmental Kuznets Curve in the Malaysian Economy: A Fresh Evidence," Journal of Economic Impact, Science Impact Publishers, vol. 4(3), pages 278-288.
    8. Bowen Tang & Yuanzhang Sun & Nan Zhou & Bo Shen, 2019. "Sustainable Development of Power Retailers and Industrial Parks in China’s Belt and Road Initiative," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(19), pages 1-19, September.

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