Search

Over the last 20 years, energy consumption in the residential sector in China has grown rapidly, and the growth is faster than that of any other energy form. To assess the limitations of the spatial characteristics of household energy consumption in urban areas, this paper selected Guangzhou as the research area. Specifically, the old town, core area, central area and peri-urban areas, which best reflect the evolutionary characteristics and spatial differentiation of households, were assessed. Based on the surveyed database of community-scale household energy consumption (N = 1097), the spatial heterogeneity of household energy consumption and carbon emissions at the community scale were assessed through exploratory spatial data analysis and the standard deviation ellipse method. The results report that (1) the main sources of energy consumption in Guangzhou households were water heating equipment, kitchen equipment and refrigeration equipment, which were related to the climatic conditions and cultural traditions of the city. (2) There was significant spatial heterogeneity in the carbon emissions from household domestic energy use in Guangzhou. (3) The economic level, the effects of the Lingnan culture and the characteristics of residents are the main drivers influencing the spatial characteristics of household energy consumption and carbon emissions in Guangzhou. We propose that policy development should actively promote energy-efficient equipment, such as water heating and cooling equipment, in urban households and take full account of the basic household energy needs of residents in old urban and suburban areas while promoting the development of low-carbon buildings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy poverty occurs when a household cannot fulfill its energy needs. Despite its widespread occurrence, Chinese cities have yet to formally recognize energy poverty as distinct from general poverty at the national level, thereby limiting the effectiveness of countermeasures. Guangzhou, a subtropical first-tier city in China, has a complex population comprising diverse migrants and locals of all ages. This age diversity greatly affects energy demand and poverty sensitivity, so analyzing age's impact on energy poverty is crucial. Thus, this paper surveyed 1072 households in 2020 to measure the extent of energy poverty. The energy poverty rate was found to be 13.85 %. Additionally, a U-shaped relationship was discovered between age and energy poverty, with a turning point at age 44. The adults in Guangzhou who are in energy poverty are not in income poverty. Higher education levels were found to impact energy consumption in households of both younger and older adults. For individuals older than 42—or 46 with a higher education level—the likelihood of experiencing energy poverty gradually decreases with age. Our findings indicate a unique pattern in which both younger and older individuals are susceptible to energy poverty in a humid subtropical climate. To achieve the UN's 2030 clean energy goals, policymakers must focus on tailored skill training, enhanced social welfare, and effective affordable housing policies to alleviate energy poverty. • We use survey datato measure Guangzhou household energy poverty. The LIHC indicator is 13.86%. • The relationship between age and energy poverty in the household is U-shaped. • Younger and older residents are vulnerable to energy poverty. • Younger and older highly educated individuals are more vulnerable to energy poverty than those without higher education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is important for Chinese cities to advance sustainable energy consumption and ensure that they achieve their carbon emission peak and carbon neutrality. This paper develops a comprehensive assessment of the spatial variability and influencing factors of the quantity of household energy consumption per capita in mega-cities. Based on microlevel household survey data from Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China (N = 1082), we analyze the spatial effects and factors of urban residents' energy consumption. A spatial econometric model with four spatial weight matrices is employed, and the nested spatial weight matrix, which holds practical economic and geographical significance, is set. We find that (1) the quantity of energy consumption per capita of all households in Guangzhou is 189.57 kgce/year and shows a spatial difference, with 177.5 kgce/year in the central urban area and 203.47 kgce/year in the outskirts urban area. In particular, households in the outskirts of urban areas present a higher percentage of "high" and "medium-high" energy consumption per capita than those in central urban areas. (2) The quantity of household energy consumption per capita of urban residents is characterized by significant spatial correlation and agglomeration, with "high-high" and "low-low" agglomeration in central urban areas. (3) The household labor force, the housing area and household income are the core factors that drive the quantity of household energy consumption per capita, while the region and educational level are also main factors. We observe the diversity of the energy transition by comparing the patterns of the quantity of household energy consumption per capita within the city. A comprehensive picture of the diversity underlying the energy transition applied across cases can be distilled. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]