Education and energy poverty: Evidence from China's compulsory education law

Addressing energy poverty remains a critical global challenge, especially in developing countries. While education's role in poverty reduction is well-studied, its impact on energy poverty and energy justice is less explored. Using China's 1986 Compulsory Education Law as an exogenous shock, this study examines the causal effects of education on household energy poverty and energy justice, based on data from the China Family Panel Survey. We find that each additional year of education reduces the likelihood of experiencing energy poverty by 2.3 %. The key mechanisms are returns to human capital and borrowing constraints. Education's impact is particularly strong for disadvantaged groups, such as women and rural residents, highlighting its dual role in alleviating energy poverty and promoting energy justice. This study offers valuable policy implications and scientific support to help reduce household-level energy poverty and advance the goal of energy justice.