Analysing policy responses to energy poverty in China: A perspective on socio-spatial vulnerability lens

Millions of Chinese households suffer from varying degrees of energy poverty, threatening their access to sufficient energy services. China lacks a national acknowledgement of energy poverty as a problem distinct from initiatives to combat poverty, despite the entrenched environmental and energy injustices that threaten public health. Our Perspective article explores national responses to energy and poverty through a socio-spatial energy vulnerability lens. We analysed The White Paper of China’s Practice in Poverty Reduction (2022) as well as the Energy Five-Year Plans (2000-2020), to understand how energy accessibility, social vulnerability, and spatial vulnerability are understood in China. We found that the accessibility of energy services and just pricing of electricity have long been recognised as problems in China, despite the lack of energy poverty policy. From a social perspective, the government has identified some vulnerable groups such as low-income, older people and provided them with financial support. The recognition of spatial vulnerability is reflected in the uneven distribution of energy infrastructure, services, and subsidy policies among regions. Our findings suggest that Chinese policymakers need to consider energy poverty as a distinct problem, and to build effective responses that centre social and spatial vulnerability. • Millions of Chinese households suffer from varying degrees of energy poverty. • China lacks a national acknowledgement of ‘energy poverty’ as a problem distinct from initiatives to combat ‘poverty’. • Socio-spatial vulnerability thinking of energy is a prerequisite to addressing energy poverty in many contextualised studies. • The Chinese government has identified some energy vulnerable groups such as low-income, older people and provided them with financial support. • The recognition of spatial vulnerability is reflected in the differences of energy infrastructure, services, and subsidy policies among regions.