Evaluating the International Competitiveness of RCEP Countries’ Biomass Products in the Context of the New Development Paradigm

Abstract

As research related to the clean use of primary energy and new energy technologies continues to intensify in countries around the world, biomass energy has been incorporated into the long-term development plans of many countries for energy use due to its unique zero-carbon emission advantages. However, there are fewer studies on the competitiveness of biomass products in the literature. In this study, we adopted the constant market share (CMS) model and IRCA index method to measure the long-term trend of international competitiveness of biomass energy products in Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) countries, which enriches the research on the competitiveness of biomass energy products. The two methods integrate multiple indicators to analyze the competitiveness of biomass energy in each country, making up for the deficiency that the RCA index can only be analyzed from trade volume. The results show that (1) the international competitiveness of biomass energy products in RCEP countries is on an upward trend; (2) the main biomass energy products of RCEP countries lack comparative advantages in the world market; and (3) the export market structure of biomass energy products in RCEP countries is not adapted to the world market demand. Finally, based on the above research findings, this paper puts forward some policy suggestions for exporting biomass energy products.