Analysis of the Energy Trilemma in China: a Comprehensive Study of Energy Security, Equity, and Environmental Sustainability

Haofu Wang (), Jingcao She (), Jingmiao Yang () and João Graça Gomes
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Haofu Wang: Sino-Portuguese Centre for New Energy Technologies (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
Jingcao She: Sino-Portuguese Centre for New Energy Technologies (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
Jingmiao Yang: Sino-Portuguese Centre for New Energy Technologies (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
João Graça Gomes: Sino-Portuguese Centre for New Energy Technologies (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.

A chapter in Proceedings of 2025 2nd International Conference on Applied Economics, Management Science and Social Development (AEMSS 2025), 2025, pp 34-48 from Springer

Abstract: Abstract China is one of the largest consumers of energy and, consequently, one of the top emitters of CO₂ worldwide. However, it is also one of the largest investors in low-carbon technologies and has set an ambitious target to become carbon neutral by the 2060s. This study analyzes the development of China’s energy sector over the past two decades (2000–2021) and examines how the country manages its decarbonization strategy while meeting growing energy demands. The analysis focuses on China’s energy security, equity, and environmental sustainability, following the World Energy Council’s energy trilemma framework. Energy security is assessed through an evaluation of energy supply access and infrastructure resilience. Equity is analyzed primarily through trends in commodity prices and their stability. Environmental sustainability is examined using metrics such as energy intensity, greenhouse gas emissions, and their impact on air quality. The study highlights China’s ongoing reliance on conventional energy sources while demonstrating significant modernization of its energy sector and stable energy prices. Furthermore, the research reveals China’s substantial energy self-sufficiency and low dependence on external imports and critical energy resources.

Keywords: China; Energy trilemma; Energy security; Equity; Renewable energy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:spr:advbcp:978-94-6463-752-6_5

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DOI: 10.2991/978-94-6463-752-6_5

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