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Revisiting energy justice: Is renewable energy technology innovation a tool for realizing a just energy system?

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  • Dong, Kangyin
  • Yang, Senmiao
  • Wang, Jianda
  • Dong, Xiucheng

Abstract

Renewable energy technology innovation (RETI) is crucial in facilitating the energy transition while promoting a just transition. This paper examines the RETI and energy justice comprehensive indexes for 30 provinces in China between 2006 and 2019. Then, we study the relationship between RETI and energy justice and investigate their mediating roles and asymmetric relationships. Furthermore, we explore the potential of each of five RETI indicators for a just transition. The results show that RETI effectively contributes to distributive justice, procedural justice, recognition justice, and restorative justice and, in general, has a positive impact on energy justice. Moreover, all types of RETI indexes effectively promote energy justice, with wind and solar energy technology innovation having the most notable impacts. Finally, RETI also enhances energy justice by improving green total factor productivity (GTFP). Overall, this study believes that both the Chinese and global governments should actively develop renewable energy technologies, proactively seek innovation, and promote a just energy transition and sustainable development.

Suggested Citation

  • Dong, Kangyin & Yang, Senmiao & Wang, Jianda & Dong, Xiucheng, 2023. "Revisiting energy justice: Is renewable energy technology innovation a tool for realizing a just energy system?," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 183(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:183:y:2023:i:c:s0301421523004056
    DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2023.113820
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Renewable energy technology innovation (RETI); Energy justice; Green total factor productivity (GTFP); R&D intensity; China;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C33 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Models with Panel Data; Spatio-temporal Models
    • O32 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Management of Technological Innovation and R&D
    • Q55 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Technological Innovation

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