{"title":"The power of digitalization: A study of the effect of the digital economy on household energy poverty","authors":"Kaixia Zhang , Caiqi Bu","doi":"10.1016/j.energy.2024.133652","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Severe energy poverty is one of the major challenges hindering the achievement of sustainable development in developing countries, while the current rapid advances in the digital economy offer new ways to alleviate energy poverty, the household-level effects of which urgently need to be supported by more empirical research. Using Chinese household-level panel data from 2010 to 2020, we identify the causal effects of the digital economy on household energy poverty by employing the \"Broadband China\" pilot policy and applying the difference-in-differences (DID) method. Research shows that the digital economy can significantly mitigate household energy poverty, especially among low earning and low educational inputs households. Improving energy accessibility through increased Internet use and promoting energy affordability through increased employment and income are the main channels through which the digital economy can exert an energy poverty reduction effect. Moreover, welfare analyses indicate that the power of digitalization not only reduces household energy poverty, but also further enhances the residents' welfare and improves local carbon reduction welfare performance. This study will provide new ideas from the viewpoint of digital economy development to improve household energy poverty governance in developing countries.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11647,"journal":{"name":"Energy","volume":"313 ","pages":"Article 133652"},"PeriodicalIF":9.0000,"publicationDate":"2024-11-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Energy","FirstCategoryId":"5","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360544224034303","RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"ENERGY & FUELS","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Severe energy poverty is one of the major challenges hindering the achievement of sustainable development in developing countries, while the current rapid advances in the digital economy offer new ways to alleviate energy poverty, the household-level effects of which urgently need to be supported by more empirical research. Using Chinese household-level panel data from 2010 to 2020, we identify the causal effects of the digital economy on household energy poverty by employing the "Broadband China" pilot policy and applying the difference-in-differences (DID) method. Research shows that the digital economy can significantly mitigate household energy poverty, especially among low earning and low educational inputs households. Improving energy accessibility through increased Internet use and promoting energy affordability through increased employment and income are the main channels through which the digital economy can exert an energy poverty reduction effect. Moreover, welfare analyses indicate that the power of digitalization not only reduces household energy poverty, but also further enhances the residents' welfare and improves local carbon reduction welfare performance. This study will provide new ideas from the viewpoint of digital economy development to improve household energy poverty governance in developing countries.
期刊介绍:
Energy is a multidisciplinary, international journal that publishes research and analysis in the field of energy engineering. Our aim is to become a leading peer-reviewed platform and a trusted source of information for energy-related topics.
The journal covers a range of areas including mechanical engineering, thermal sciences, and energy analysis. We are particularly interested in research on energy modelling, prediction, integrated energy systems, planning, and management.
Additionally, we welcome papers on energy conservation, efficiency, biomass and bioenergy, renewable energy, electricity supply and demand, energy storage, buildings, and economic and policy issues. These topics should align with our broader multidisciplinary focus.