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Technological learning, energy efficiency, and CO2 emissions in China's energy intensive industries

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  • Rock, Michael T.
  • Toman, Michael
  • Cui, Yuanshang
  • Jiang, Kejun
  • Song, Yun
  • Wang, Yanjia

Abstract

Since the onset of economic reforms in 1978, China has been remarkably successful in reducing the carbon dioxide intensities of gross domestic product and industrial production. Most analysts correctly attribute the rapid decline in the carbon dioxide intensity of industrial production to rising energy prices, increased openness to trade and investment, increased competition, and technological change. China's industrial and technology policies also have contributed to lower carbon dioxide intensities, by transforming industrial structure and improving enterprise level technological capabilities. Case studies of four energy intensive industries -- aluminum, cement, iron and steel, and paper -- show how the changes have put these industries on substantially lower carbon dioxide emissions trajectories. Although the changes have not led to absolute declines in carbon dioxide emissions, they have substantially weakened the link between industry growth and carbon dioxide emissions.

Suggested Citation

  • Rock, Michael T. & Toman, Michael & Cui, Yuanshang & Jiang, Kejun & Song, Yun & Wang, Yanjia, 2013. "Technological learning, energy efficiency, and CO2 emissions in China's energy intensive industries," Policy Research Working Paper Series 6492, The World Bank.
    • Handle: RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:6492
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Iris Claus & Les Oxley & Siqi Zheng & Cong Sun & Ye Qi & Matthew E. Kahn, 2014. "The Evolving Geography Of China'S Industrial Production: Implications For Pollution Dynamics And Urban Quality Of Life," Journal of Economic Surveys, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(4), pages 709-724, September.
    2. Liu, Xueyue & Liu, Yu & Zhao, Ruili, 2023. "Import competition and energy efficiency: Firms' responses to the WTO accession in China," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 214(C), pages 670-690.
    3. Bożena Gajdzik & Włodzimierz Sroka, 2021. "Resource Intensity vs. Investment in Production Installations—The Case of the Steel Industry in Poland," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-16, January.

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    Keywords

    Energy Production and Transportation; Technology Industry; ICT Policy and Strategies; Environmental Economics&Policies; Energy and Environment;
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