The impact of the Energy Conservation Law on enterprise energy efficiency: Quasi-experimental evidence from Chinese firms

Hongwei Yu, Wenjin Chen, Xinyi Wang, Laurence Delina, Zhiming Cheng and Le Zhang

Energy Economics, 2025, vol. 143, issue C

Abstract: We employ a regression discontinuity design (RDD) to investigate the causal effect of China's Energy Conservation Law (ECL) on the energy efficiency of Chinese firms. Using data from the 2018 China Employer-Employee Survey (CEES), we find that the energy regulation has a positive impact on enterprise energy efficiency. Furthermore, we observe that the effects of the regulation vary across industries, ownership types, and firm ages. We also find that energy management system (EnMS) and technological innovation are mechanisms through which the energy regulation helps improve enterprise energy efficiency. These findings underscore the importance of well-designed and effectively implemented energy regulations in fostering energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions in the industrial sector. They also highlight the need to consider the heterogeneity of the regulatory impact when designing energy-saving policies.

Keywords: Energy conservation law; Energy regulation; Energy efficiency; China; Regression discontinuity design (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: K32 Q56 Q58 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Working Paper: The Impact of the Energy Conservation Law on Enterprise Energy Efficiency: Quasi-Experimental Evidence from Chinese Firms (2023)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:eneeco:v:143:y:2025:i:c:s0140988325000751

DOI: 10.1016/j.eneco.2025.108252

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