The impact of lifestyle on energy use and CO2 emission: An empirical analysis of China's residents

✍ Scribed by Yi-Ming Wei; Lan-Cui Liu; Ying Fan; Gang Wu

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 2007
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 542 KB
• Volume: 35
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0301-4215
• DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2005.11.020

✦ Synopsis

Based on the application of a Consumer Lifestyle Approach (CLA), this paper quantifies the direct and indirect impact of lifestyle of urban and rural residents on China's energy use and the related CO 2 emissions during the period 1999-2002. The results show that approximately 26 per cent of total energy consumption and 30 per cent of CO 2 emission every year are a consequence of residents' lifestyles, and the economic activities to support these demands. For urban residents the indirect impact on energy consumption is 2.44 times greater than the direct impact. Residence; home energy use; food; and education, cultural and recreation services are the most energy-intensive and carbon-emission-intensive activities. For rural residents, the direct impact on energy consumption is 1.86 times that of the indirect, and home energy use; food; education, and cultural recreation services; and personal travel are the most energy-intensive and carbon-emission-intensive activities. This paper provides quantitative evidence for energy conservation and environmental protection focused policies. China's security for energy supply is singled out as a serious issue for government policy-makers, and we suggest that government should harmonize the relationships between stakeholders to determine rational strategies.