Is there an energy efficiency gap in China? Evidence from an information experiment

Graham Beattie, Iza Ding and Andrea La Nauze

Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, 2022, vol. 115, issue C

Abstract: We use an incentivized field experiment to test whether Chinese consumers underinvest in energy efficiency. We document that providing information to Chinese consumers on the energy costs of lightbulbs significantly increases their willingness to pay for energy-efficient bulbs, even among those who previously overestimated the savings from energy efficiency. Our results indicate that Chinese consumers are imperfectly informed, but that neither biased beliefs nor salience can explain their underinvestment in energy efficiency. Rather, we contend that consumers underinvest in energy efficiency because they are uncertain about the savings from energy efficient products.

Keywords: Energy consumption; Energy efficiency; Incentivized choice experiment; Energy efficiency gap; Behavioral economics; China (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D8 D9 Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:jeeman:v:115:y:2022:i:c:s0095069622000730

DOI: 10.1016/j.jeem.2022.102713

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