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Does energy transition improve air quality? Evidence derived from China’s Winter Clean Heating Pilot (WCHP) project

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  • Zhang, Yali
  • Li, Wenqi
  • Wu, Feng

Abstract

Coal used for heating rural households poses a severe threat to ambient air pollution and human health. In 2017, China implemented the Winter Clean Heating Pilot (WCHP) project, which was designed to convert energy from “coal-to-gas/electricity”. However, the impact of the WCHP project and its associated dynamic changes have not yet been well quantified. Based on daily monitored panel data covering 35 pilot cities, we conducted a difference-in-differences (DID) model to identify whether or not the WCHP project is effective in maintaining air quality. Results showed that AQI, PM2.5, NOx, and SO2 emissions decreased by 20.4%, 18.59%, 34.1%, and 68.4%, respectively, and, except for SO2, these pollutant reductions were greater in Western China than in Eastern China. Furthermore, when certain variables were controlled, such as weather, holidays, GDP, the ratio between secondary industries, income levels, and environmental expenditures, these results were also robust. Parallel trends and placebo tests were additionally used to confirm the reliability of the DID model. The implementation of energy transition could gain the synergy between emission reduction and air quality improvement. Policy recommendations were finally made on rural-scale energy transition, including reforming the cost of electricity/gas through advanced technology and subsidies to account for regional inequality.

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  • Zhang, Yali & Li, Wenqi & Wu, Feng, 2020. "Does energy transition improve air quality? Evidence derived from China’s Winter Clean Heating Pilot (WCHP) project," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 206(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:206:y:2020:i:c:s0360544220312378
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2020.118130
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    9. Wang, Shuye & de Souza, Clarice Bleil & Golubchikov, Oleg, 2025. "Recent advances in decarbonising heating in rural China: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 210(C).
    10. Bompard, E. & Botterud, A. & Corgnati, S. & Huang, T. & Jafari, M. & Leone, P. & Mauro, S. & Montesano, G. & Papa, C. & Profumo, F., 2020. "An electricity triangle for energy transition: Application to Italy," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 277(C).
    11. He, Ling-Yun & Hu, Ke & Lin, Xi, 2025. "The impact of collaborative governance on air Pollution: Evidence from high-frequency data in Pearl river delta, China," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 337(C).
    12. Wu, Desheng & Xie, Yu & Liu, Dingjie, 2023. "Rethinking the complex effects of the clean energy transition on air pollution abatement: Evidence from China's coal-to-gas policy," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 283(C).
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    14. Lingling Zhou & Tao Shi & Qian Zhou, 2023. "Is ICT Development Conducive to Reducing the Vulnerability of Low-Carbon Energy? Evidence from OECD Countries," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-22, January.
    15. Dobrzański, Maciej & Muniak, Damian Piotr & Müller, Jarosław & Cichowicz, Robert, 2025. "The impact of power units on air quality on a university campus located in the center of an urban agglomeration," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 324(C).
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    19. Zeng, Jingjing & Bao, Rui & McFarland, Michael, 2022. "Clean energy substitution: The effect of transitioning from coal to gas on air pollution," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 107(C).

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