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Residential energy consumption level, structure, and potentiality are crucial indices reflecting economic and social development. In rural China, energy poverty is still prevalent, and economic poverty is a critical factor that deteriorates energy poverty. This paper combines income- and asset-based measures of wealth to provide a more dynamic perspective on the effects of economic poverty on energy poverty. Results show that for the household which in an average asset or income level, when its assets and income increase by 10%, the probability of a household choosing clean fuels increases by 0.007 and 0.002, respectively. Rural household prefers gas than electricity when household income and assets increase. To solve the energy poverty problem in rural areas, governments need to take measures to improve the accumulation of wealth, raise the infrastructure level and increase the employment rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a vital industry providing raw materials to construction, building materials industry plays an essential role in China's energy consumption growth during urbanization. The objective of this study is to investigate the transition of future energy demand and energy savings potential of the Chinese building materials industry. The co-integration method is applied to identify the influencing factors of the sectoral energy use. Considering that economic growth is the driving force for the sectoral energy demand, this paper develops multiple scenarios to comprehensively analyze the transition of sectoral energy use and map various possibilities. Results indicate that although sectoral energy consumption peaks varied among different scenarios, the predicted sectoral energy use, which would account for a smaller share in national energy usage in the future, shows a similar downward trend after the first rise. Results also demonstrate that the sectoral energy savings potential is considerable. Policy implications are summarized as follows: (1) the relatively rapid economic growth stage provides an opportunity for the sector to conserve energy and reduce emissions; (2) technological progress ensures continuous improvement in sectoral energy efficiency; (3) the sector should speed up industrial restructuring and upgrading to deal with higher energy costs promoted by energy pricing reform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China has been the world's largest producer and consumer of air conditioners, and more and more RACs 1 1 The RACs is short for room air conditioners. would be owned by China's households along with the rapid economic development. Air Conditioner is also considered as one of the largest potential contributors to energy reduction among home appliances because of the huge energy consumption. Therefore, the national energy efficiency standards were issued to promote the use and production of high-efficient RACs. According to China's energy efficiency standards, this paper investigated the electricity savings and CO 2 emission reductions from RACs over the period of 2005–2025. The results indicate that the rural RAC market which develops more slowly than the urban one still has great potential, and government has to revise subsidy policies to make the standards more effective, especially for rural areas. In 2025, the total electricity consumption of RACs is projected to be 598–674 TW h, while the amount without energy efficiency standards is 753 TW h. From 2005 to 2025, the energy efficiency standards for RACs can save 1430–2540 TW h electricity and reduce 908.3–1610. 1 Mt CO 2 emissions in different scenarios. Finally, we suggest that the standards should be revised every 4 or 5 years with higher revision pace of 8% to 10% [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]