14
L. Ma et al.
1.3.3.3 Final Service
Demand for Structural Material was the Biggest Driver for Energy
Consumption and CO 2 Emissions
At the final service of energy, the structural service was always the most important
energy service, making up over half of the total, and rising rapidly. In 2015, it
registered a 7.5% growth compared to 2005, resulting in increase in CO 2 emissions as
a whopping 2218 Mt. This was, in large part, fueled by China’s massive urbanization
in the past decade and the booming infrastructure development. From 2006 to 2011,
the total output of the construction industry had been growing at over 20% for six
consecutive years (Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development 2017), a pillar
industry for economic growth.
Energy Demand for Thermal Comfort Service and Sustenance Service
Slowed Down
Thermal comfort services and sustenance services were marked by the reduction
in energy consumption and carbon emissions as the final service, which had been
primarily the result of urban central heating pipeline networks, replacement of traditional heating methods, more energy-efficient home appliances and a much smaller
primary industry as a percentage of GDP. This also reflected the shift of people’s
pursuit from trying to make their basic livelihood to aiming for a quality life.
1.3.3.4 Summary
China’s energy is undergoing transition from high-speed to high-quality growth. Two
major trends can be found in the recent development:
1. China is still undergoing rapid industrialization and urbanization. Spectacular
infrastructure construction and fixed asset investment have been accompanied by
huge and continuously rising demand for structural materials, creating a mushrooming industrial sector (steel and chemical industry in particular) that is often
troubled by overcapacity. The high dependence of such industries on coal and
electricity presented enormous challenge for China to decoalize and decarbonize
its energy system in the short term.
2. People’s rising demand for high-quality life has changed the structure of energy
end use. For instance, the increased need for passenger transportation, hygiene
and communication services has resulted in a marked increase in the energy
consumption of hot water supply in passenger cars, aircraft, buildings, and of
modern appliances, making them the new driver of carbon emissions.
L. Ma et al.
1.3.3.3 Final Service
Demand for Structural Material was the Biggest Driver for Energy
Consumption and CO 2 Emissions
At the final service of energy, the structural service was always the most important
energy service, making up over half of the total, and rising rapidly. In 2015, it
registered a 7.5% growth compared to 2005, resulting in increase in CO 2 emissions as
a whopping 2218 Mt. This was, in large part, fueled by China’s massive urbanization
in the past decade and the booming infrastructure development. From 2006 to 2011,
the total output of the construction industry had been growing at over 20% for six
consecutive years (Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development 2017), a pillar
industry for economic growth.
Energy Demand for Thermal Comfort Service and Sustenance Service
Slowed Down
Thermal comfort services and sustenance services were marked by the reduction
in energy consumption and carbon emissions as the final service, which had been
primarily the result of urban central heating pipeline networks, replacement of traditional heating methods, more energy-efficient home appliances and a much smaller
primary industry as a percentage of GDP. This also reflected the shift of people’s
pursuit from trying to make their basic livelihood to aiming for a quality life.
1.3.3.4 Summary
China’s energy is undergoing transition from high-speed to high-quality growth. Two
major trends can be found in the recent development:
1. China is still undergoing rapid industrialization and urbanization. Spectacular
infrastructure construction and fixed asset investment have been accompanied by
huge and continuously rising demand for structural materials, creating a mushrooming industrial sector (steel and chemical industry in particular) that is often
troubled by overcapacity. The high dependence of such industries on coal and
electricity presented enormous challenge for China to decoalize and decarbonize
its energy system in the short term.
2. People’s rising demand for high-quality life has changed the structure of energy
end use. For instance, the increased need for passenger transportation, hygiene
and communication services has resulted in a marked increase in the energy
consumption of hot water supply in passenger cars, aircraft, buildings, and of
modern appliances, making them the new driver of carbon emissions.