How Does Sharing Economy Advance Sustainable Production and Consumption? Evidence from the Policies and Business Practices of Dockless Bike Sharing

Shouheng Sun, Yiran Wang, Dafei Yang () and Qi Wu
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Shouheng Sun: School of Economics and Management, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
Yiran Wang: School of Economics and Management, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
Dafei Yang: School of Economics and Management, Beijing Institute of Petrochemical Technology, Beijing 102617, China
Qi Wu: School of Finance, Hebei University of Economics and Business, Shijiazhuang 050061, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 15, 1-29

Abstract: The sharing economy is considered to be a potentially efficacious approach for promoting sustainable production and consumption (SPC). This study utilizes dockless bike sharing (DBS) in Beijing as a case study to examine how sharing economy policies and business practices advance SPC. It also dynamically quantifies the environmental and economic performance of DBS practices from a life cycle perspective. The findings indicate that effective SPC practices can be achieved through the collaborative efforts of multiple stakeholders, including the government, operators, manufacturers, consumers, recycling agencies, and other business partners, supported by regulatory systems and advanced technologies. The SPC practices markedly improved the sustainability of DBS promotion in Beijing. This is evidenced by the increase in greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction benefits, which have risen from approximately 35.81 g CO 2 -eq to 124.40 g CO 2 -eq per kilometer of DBS travel. Considering changes in private bicycle ownership, this value could reach approximately 150.60 g CO 2 -eq. Although the economic performance of DBS operators has also improved, it remains challenging to achieve profitability, even when considering the economic value of the emission reduction benefits. In certain scenarios, DBS can maximize profits by optimizing fleet size and efficiency, without compromising the benefits of emission reductions. The framework of stakeholder interaction proposed in this study and the results of empirical analysis not only assist regulators, businesses, and the public in better understanding and promoting sustainable production and consumption practices in the sharing economy but also provide valuable insights for achieving a win-win situation of platform profitability and environmental benefits in the SPC practice process.

Keywords: sustainable production and consumption; policies and business practice; sharing economy; bike sharing; GHG emission; sustainability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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