[Multi-dimensional Features and Equity Analysis of Household Energy Consumption in China]

Studying the multidimensional characteristics of the household sector's energy consumption and its inequality in the energy transition， as well as exploring the key factors leading to inequality， are of great practical significance for a comprehensive understanding of the status quo and differences in the household sector's energy consumption and for promoting a just energy transition. Based on the data from the China Household Tracking Survey， the input-output analysis method and the standard coal conversion method are used to measure the multidimensional characteristics of household energy consumption， and the Gini coefficient is used to assess the fairness of household energy consumption and to explore the key factors affecting the fairness of energy consumption. The results showed that： ① Between 2013 and 2021， China's household energy consumption in general showed a sustained growth trend， and the inequality gradually eased. Regions with higher per capita income had higher levels of energy consumption and better distributional equity than those of other regions. ② The household sector continued to grow in terms of energy consumption in the categories of transportation energy， electricity supply for electrical appliances， and household equipment and daily necessities， with inequality remaining significant in the areas of transportation energy and central heating. In addition， the share of traditional fossil energy in the overall energy consumption structure was gradually declining， showing a trend of cleaner transition. ③ Between 2013 and 2021， the gap in energy consumption between urban and rural areas and within urban and rural areas across income groups had been widening. High-income households not only had higher total energy consumption but also preferred to use non-fossil energy， while low-income households still relied on traditional fossil energy. ④ Income disparity， centralized heating and transportation energy， and other types of energy consumption differences were the main factors leading to inequality in household energy consumption. Attention should be focused on the energy consumption gap between different income groups， especially in the areas of transportation energy and centralized heating. Reducing inequalities in household energy consumption through the implementation of targeted policy measures is key to achieving a just energy transition.