Work

Socioeconomic Disparities in Climate Change‐Induced Compound Energy Droughts in China

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: China pledged to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060, necessitating a profound low‐carbon transition toward solar and wind power. While recent studies have evaluated the compound risks to energy reliability from concurrent low‐solar and low‐wind (LSLW) energy droughts, less attention has been paid to the socioeconomic exposure to such compound energy supply challenges, the spatial distribution of vulnerable hotspots, and how these dynamics may evolve under climate change. Here, we conduct a systematic analysis of the evolving socioeconomic exposure to compound LSLW extremes across China by coupling multi‐model simulations under future climate scenarios. Our results reveal that compound LSLW extremes are primarily concentrated in southwestern China—an area characterized by limited renewable energy resource and relatively low‐income levels with large population and gross domestic product (GDP) exposure—making them particularly vulnerable to frequent compound energy droughts. We identify distinct geospatial disparities in socioeconomic exposure, with a significantly greater increase in population exposure to LSLW event frequency under SSP370, primarily driven by climate change. Notably, changes in GDP exposure are even more pronounced than those in population exposure. Our analysis highlights that low‐income regions with relatively low renewable resources are disproportionately vulnerable to increasingly frequent and severe LSLW extremes, and that this inequity is likely to intensify under future climate conditions. These insights are critical for informing targeted climate mitigation and adaptation strategies to enhance energy security, particularly for the most vulnerable communities.

Source: Earth s Future

DOI: 10.1029/2025ef007598

Authors: Licheng Wang, Yawen Liu, Xin Huang, Yue Qin, Tong Zhu

Institutions: Peking University, Nanjing University

Language: English

Topic: Integrated Energy Systems Optimization

Subfield: Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Climate action, Affordable and clean energy, Reduced inequalities, Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,180