Examining the role of non-economic factors in energy consumption and CO2 emissions in China: policy options for the green economy

China has consumed relatively high energy consumption and large carbon emitters since the 2000s compared to other emerging countries. This study explores the impact of non-economic factors on energy consumption and CO2 emissions in China from 1991 to 2019. By using a linear autoregressive distributed lagged (ARDL) bounds testing approach for a cointegration link between non-economic factors, energy consumption, and CO2 emissions. The result shows that education, law and order, and social globalization have negative impact on energy consumption and CO2 emissions in long run. The results show that population growth exerts positive pressure on energy consumption and CO2 emissions. The impact of non-economic factors in energy consumption and CO2 emissions are also likely to be evident in the future. The findings of this study can be valuable to authorities and policymakers in the terms of installing clean energy and green economy.

Automated summary

The study suggests that education, law and order, and social globalization have a negative impact on energy consumption and CO2 emissions in China, while population growth exerts a positive pressure. The influence of non-economic factors on energy consumption and CO2 emissions is likely to continue in the future.