Clean energy transitions and health

Meng Li; Yong Geng; Shaojie Zhou; Joseph Sarkis

doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21250

Clean energy transitions and health

Heliyon. 2023 Oct 31;9(11):e21250. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21250. eCollection 2023 Nov.

Authors

Meng Li¹, Yong Geng², Shaojie Zhou³, Joseph Sarkis⁴

Affiliations

¹ School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
² School of International and Public Affairs, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
³ School of Public Policy and Management, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
⁴ Business School, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, United States.

Abstract

Clean energy can lead to significant health benefits. Making it accessible throughout the world can address many ills. We delve deeply into one example-the transition toward clean residential heating and its relationship to health benefits-in China. We find that the health benefits can outweigh costs from energy expenses in northern provinces. Low-income households enjoy larger health benefits but also experience a higher expense increase, suggesting that extra subsidies or stimuli are needed to help them benefit from clean energy. Our findings suggest that clean energy transitions should be promoted in developing economies due to improved social health, lessened medical costs, and significant environmental improvements.