Work

Environmental Regulation and Clean Cooking Energy Use: Evidence from Rural China

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: The promotion of clean cooking energy use (CCEU) in rural areas is a key part of energy transformation. At present, the understanding of the relationship between environmental regulation and household CCEU remains limited. We primarily focus on the “Air Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan” (APPCAP), which is regarded as China’s strictest command-and-control environmental regulation. This provides us with a quasi-natural experimental setting in evaluating the impact of environmental regulation on rural households’ CCEU. Empirical results indicate that APPCAP has significantly promoted CCEU among rural households in China. The transmission of this effect occurs primarily through three channels, including non-farm employment, health awareness, and peer effects. A heterogeneity analysis reveals that the impact of APPCAP is more pronounced among vulnerable rural groups with lower education levels and lower income. Furthermore, households with smaller family sizes, heavier dependency burdens, and a male eldest child are more responsive to the APPCAP. Further analysis confirms the sustainability of the policy effects. These findings provide evidence for accelerating the energy transition in developing regions.

Source: Energies

DOI: 10.3390/en19020395

Authors: Yi Deng, Lezhu Zhang

Institution: South China Agricultural University

Language: English

Topic: Energy and Environment Impacts

Subfield: Pollution

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Climate action, Affordable and clean energy

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,137