Does economic growth stimulate energy consumption? The role of human capital and R&D expenditures in China

A-Tier
Journal: Energy Economics
Year: 2022
Volume: 105
Issue: C

Authors (4)

Shahbaz, Muhammad (Universytet Vizja) Song, Malin (not in RePEc) Ahmad, Shabbir (University of Queensland) Vo, Xuan Vinh (not in RePEc)

Score contribution per author:

1.005 = (α=2.01 / 4 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

This study evaluates the link between human capital, energy consumption, and economic growth using data for the Chinese economy from 1971 to 2018. To test the cointegration relationship between disaggregated energy, human capital, and economic growth, a bounds testing approach is applied by taking the structural breaks into consideration. The estimated results confirm that these variables are integrated. Further, human capital accumulation has a statistically significant negative effect on all types of energy consumption. We note a positive link between energy usage and economic growth. However, a significant negative relationship is found between R&D expenditures, and energy consumption. The results also show a one-way causal effect of human capital on all forms of energy consumption. However, the association between economic growth, dirty energy usage, and clean energy usage remains interdependent, indicating a feedback effect. Further, energy consumption and R&D exhibit bidirectional causal relationship.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:eee:eneeco:v:105:y:2022:i:c:s0140988321005193
Journal Field
Energy
Author Count
4
Added to Database
2026-01-24