Applying an entropy-weighted TOPSIS method to evaluate energy green consumption revolution progressing of China

• Published in: Environmental science and pollution research international Vol. 30; no. 14; pp. 42267 - 42281
• Main Authors: Zou, Tong, Guo, Pibin, Wu, Qinglong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.03.2023; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Aquatic Pollution; Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution; Beijing; Carbon; China; Clean energy; Clean technology; Climate change; Coal; Consumption; Developing countries; Earth and Environmental Science; Economic Development; Economic growth; Ecotoxicology; Emissions; Energy; Energy consumption; Energy-Generating Resources; Entropy; Environment; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental Health; Environmental impact; Environmental quality; Environmental science; Fossil fuels; Industrial development; Industrialized nations; LDCs; Literature reviews; Low level; Public Policy; Research Article; Sustainable development; Tourism; Urbanization; Waste Water Technology; Water Management; Water Pollution Control; Beijing; China; Evaluation; Energy green consumption revolution (EGCR); Carbon neutrality; Entropy-weighted TOPSIS method
• ISSN: 1614-7499; 0944-1344; 1614-7499
• DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-25175-6

The energy green consumption revolution (EGCR) is the highest priority in the Chinese government’s energy revolution agenda. The purpose of this study is to provide a comprehensive and objective evaluation of the China’s EGCR progressing from 2011 to 2019. In this study, an integrated economic-social-energy-environmental EGCR evaluation framework is built, and the entropy-weighted TOPSIS method with four customized equations is used to calculate and analyze the EGCR index. The study finds that the EGCR index at the national level fluctuates between 0.290 and 0.302, showing a stagnant and regressive trend. At the regional and provincial levels, the EGCR index for eastern China remains at high level, floating above 0.4 and no further growing trend has been indicated. As for the eastern China, Beijing is the only city has high-level EGCR index and is able to maintain positive growth trend. The EGCR index in central, western, and northeastern China is at a low level, fluctuating below 0.4. This result is mainly caused by the fact that the majority of these regions are still constrained by the fossil fuel–dominated social, economy, energy, and environment structures. Therefore, the research findings not only provide supportive evidence for the Chinese government to recognize the progressing of EGCR, but also offer statistical basis over formulating and updating EGCR policies at a timely manner.