Decoupling Energy Consumption from Economic Growth in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region from 2005 to 2019

Abstract

As the capital economic circle in China, Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region has experienced rapid economic development depending on a large amount of fossil fuel energy consumption in decades. Based on Tapio decoupling index, this paper logically analyzes the nexus between economic growth and energy consumption in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region from 2005 to 2019. An interesting result is obtained: except for the strong decoupling state in 2012-2013, the relationship between economy and energy consumption showed weak decoupling state for the rest of the research period. In addition, the decoupling elasticity coefficient of weak decoupling varies greatly in different years. The empirical results suggest that adjust economic development mode and transform energy consumption structure are the most necessary means for the future coordinated development of energy-economy-environment in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.