Assessing and prioritizing drivers and strategies for transition to a green energy for sustainable development in China

Abstract

This study addresses the critical global challenge of climate change, primarily caused by the overconsumption of fossil fuels. Recognizing the urgent need for a transition to green energy (GE) sources such as wind, solar, hydro, and biomass, this research focuses on identifying effective strategies for fostering a sustainable and low-carbon energy future in China. The study employs a combination of the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and fuzzy Decision-making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL), both well-established multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods, to analyze various drivers, sub-drivers, and strategies crucial for this transition. Through an extensive literature review, we identified several key drivers and strategies aiding the shift towards GE for sustainable development. The AHP method was applied to evaluate and rank the major drivers and sub-drivers, such as policy, financing, and infrastructure and innovation, that are crucial for China's successful transition to GE. Simultaneously, fuzzy DEMATEL was utilized to prioritize vital strategies, including public awareness and education, financial incentives and support mechanisms, and policy and regulatory frameworks. The findings reveal that, in addition to strong policy and financial support, public awareness and education are critical for advancing GE development in China. This study underscores the importance of integrating various drivers and strategies for effective green energy development, aiming to mitigate the environmental impacts of fossil fuel use.

Keywords

• Green energy
• Climate change
• Low-carbon future
• Sustainable development
• AHP
• Fuzzy DEMATEL