Title: A weighted Gini coefficient and Theil index-based approach for estimating the spatial disparity in energy efficiency in China

Authors: Chao Feng; Bin Lu; Zhiqiang Xu

Addresses: School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Beijing 100083, China ' Energy Sustainability Center, Energy Research Institute of National Development and Reform Commission, Beijing 100038, China ' School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Beijing 100083, China

Abstract: Scientific and rational analyses of inter-regional disparities in energy efficiency and their evolution aids in identifying benchmarks, exploiting energy-saving potential, and constructing energy-saving policies. This paper analyses the causes and development of the inequality in energy intensity among China's 29 regions during the period from 1985 to 2010. It develops a novel approach that redefines regional weights to estimate China's spatial disparity in energy efficiency based on the Gini coefficient and Theil index, and discusses the contributions of inter- and intra-regional disparities through a decomposition model of the Theil index. The results show that although China has noticeable regional disparities, the gaps have gradually narrowed since 2004. Regarding decomposition, intra-regional disparities have played a core role in the overall disparity, except during the period from 1995 to 1999. This new approach improves the traditional methods of evaluating regional disparities in energy efficiency.

Keywords: regional energy efficiency; disparity; regional energy allocation; Gini coefficient; Theil index; decomposition; evaluation; intra-regional disparities; inter-regional disparities; China; spatial disparity; energy saving.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGEI.2016.073994

International Journal of Global Energy Issues, 2016 Vol.39 No.1/2, pp.4 - 17

Received: 05 Aug 2014
Accepted: 30 Jun 2015

Published online: 31 Dec 2015 *

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