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• Inequality of renewable technology innovation is evaluated by Gini coefficients. • Contributors to renewable innovation inequality are decomposed by Shapley method. • Variables of regional attributes, policies and official characteristics are proposed. • Knowledge stock and R&D expenditure are the greatest contributors. • Energy-related experience and tenure of officials may be potential contributors. Regional inequality of technology innovation associated with renewables may lead to insufficient innovation growth over the long-term, which impedes the deployment of renewable energy and slows down low-carbon transition. This paper aims to explore the major contributors to regional inequality of technology innovation in renewable energy by taking China as a representative example. Three groups of variables including regional attributes, supporting policies, and local official characteristics are proposed as potential explanatory factors. A set of panel data covering both the photovoltaic and wind energy sectors in 31 Chinese provinces from 2008 to 2017 are collected for the empirical study. Gini coefficient is used to quantify the inequalities of renewable technology innovation, while Shapley decomposition method is applied to evaluate the contribution of each significant factors. The results show that the overall Gini coefficients of photovoltaic and wind technology innovation in China are 0.65 and 0.62, respectively, indicating medium-level regional technology innovation inequality in both sectors. Knowledge stock (46.44%), R&D expenditure (36.56%), green fixed industrial investment (13.53%), electricity consumption (1.33%), and the energy-related experience of local officials (0.05%) are significant contributors to regional inequality of photovoltaic innovation. Knowledge stock (45.20%), R&D expenditure (37.90%), electricity consumption (8.63%), feed-in tariffs (1.02%), and the tenure of local officials (0.18%) are significant contributors to regional inequality of wind innovation. Therefore, eliminating regional inequality of technology innovation in renewables should start with balancing regional R&D expenditure and knowledge stock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• China's Nationally Determined Contributions do not comply with the Paris Agreement. • Overall coal usage needs to decrease by 60% (2 °C) or even 100% (1.5 °C) by 2050. • 100% Renewable energies are cost-efficient to decarbonize the electricity sector. • Sector coupling increases the electricity demand by 100% (2 °C) to 400% (1.5 °C). • Incentives for local actors are needed for a sustainable low-carbon transformation. Growing prosperity among its population and an inherent increasing demand for energy complicate China's target of combating climate change, while maintaining its economic growth. This paper, therefore, describes three potential decarbonization pathways to analyze different effects for the electricity, transport, heating, and industrial sectors until 2050. Using an enhanced version of the multi-sectoral, open-source Global Energy System Model, enables us to assess the impact of different CO 2 budgets on the upcoming energy system transformation. A detailed provincial resolution allows for the implementation of regional characteristics and disparities within China. Conclusively, we complement the model-based analysis with a quantitative assessment of current barriers for the needed transformation. Results indicate that overall energy system CO 2 emissions and in particular coal usage have to be reduced drastically to meet (inter-) national climate targets. Specifically, coal consumption has to decrease by around 60% in 2050 compared to 2015. The current Nationally Determined Contributions proposed by the Chinese government of peaking emissions in 2030 are, therefore, not sufficient to comply with a global CO 2 budget in line with the Paris Agreement. Renewable energies, in particular photovoltaics and onshore wind, profit from decreasing costs and can provide a more sustainable and cheaper energy source. Furthermore, increased stakeholder interactions and incentives are needed to mitigate the resistance of local actors against a low-carbon transformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]