Population ageing and clean energy transition: Evidence from rural China

Against the backdrop of a rapidly aging population and increasing environmental awareness, promoting energy transformation has become essential for achieving Sustainable Development Goal 7- affordable and clean energy. Based on the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) from 2014 to 2022, this paper investigates the impact of population ageing on clean energy transition of rural households and its underlying mechanisms. We find that population ageing significantly increases unclean energy choices, such as firewood and impedes the progress of clean energy transition in rural households. Notably, population ageing mainly affects clean energy transition through two channels: the perception of environmental issues and access to information. The inhibiting impact of population ageing are more pronounced in eastern region and in high income households. It is concluded that policymakers are suggested to formulate differentiated rural clean energy promotion policies while enhancing the environmental cognitive ability and information acquisition of the rural elderly. • Effects of population ageing on rural households' cooking energy transition are examined. • A framework is constructed to quantify population ageing and cooking energy transition. • Population ageing inhibits clean energy use in rural households. • Ageing impacts energy transition differently by region and income level. • Environmental perception and information access mediate the ageing–transition relationship.