TY - JOUR
T1 - Towards a synergistic future
T2 - The impact of power sector decarbonization on Sustainable Development Goals in China
AU - Wang, Zhaohua
AU - Zhang, Haotian
AU - Wang, Bo
AU - Ding, Yueting
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2025 Institution of Chemical Engineers
PY - 2025/6
Y1 - 2025/6
N2 - Power sector decarbonization is critical for climate mitigation and advancing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), yet its comprehensive impacts on SDG synergies and trade-offs, particularly across regions, remain understudied in China. This study couples GCAM-China with a Multi-Regional Input-Output model to assess how different decarbonization pathways influence SDG progress at national and regional levels. Results show that power sector decarbonization significantly improves SDG performance, raising the national index by 6.70 % to 11.31 % by 2060 and driving major gains in SDG7 (Affordable and Clean Energy). However, it may intensify social inequality and governance challenges, especially in less developed regions. Fossil-energy-rich areas exhibit stronger synergy improvements, while renewable-energy-rich regions face resource-use trade-offs. SDG priorities also vary regionally, but SDG17 (Partnerships for the Goals) and SDG16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) remain consistently central. These findings highlight the urgent need for policymakers to strengthen cross-regional cooperation, support just transitions in vulnerable areas, and integrate ecological safeguards to maximize co-benefits of power sector decarbonization.
AB - Power sector decarbonization is critical for climate mitigation and advancing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), yet its comprehensive impacts on SDG synergies and trade-offs, particularly across regions, remain understudied in China. This study couples GCAM-China with a Multi-Regional Input-Output model to assess how different decarbonization pathways influence SDG progress at national and regional levels. Results show that power sector decarbonization significantly improves SDG performance, raising the national index by 6.70 % to 11.31 % by 2060 and driving major gains in SDG7 (Affordable and Clean Energy). However, it may intensify social inequality and governance challenges, especially in less developed regions. Fossil-energy-rich areas exhibit stronger synergy improvements, while renewable-energy-rich regions face resource-use trade-offs. SDG priorities also vary regionally, but SDG17 (Partnerships for the Goals) and SDG16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) remain consistently central. These findings highlight the urgent need for policymakers to strengthen cross-regional cooperation, support just transitions in vulnerable areas, and integrate ecological safeguards to maximize co-benefits of power sector decarbonization.
KW - Integrated assessment model
KW - Power sector decarbonization
KW - Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
KW - Synergies and trade-offs
UR - http://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105002565204
U2 - 10.1016/j.spc.2025.04.009
DO - 10.1016/j.spc.2025.04.009
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:105002565204
SN - 2352-5509
VL - 56
SP - 385
EP - 395
JO - Sustainable Production and Consumption
JF - Sustainable Production and Consumption
ER -
