Aligning industry interests with urban priorities to foster energy transitions: insights from two Chinese cities

Abstract

This article uses the Dimensions of Urban Energy Transitions (DUET) framework to analyse energy transitions in two Chinese cities at different development stages and provide insights into the mechanisms underlying decarbonised industrialisation. The results show that a ‘green’ coalition between industrial actors and local governments is critical to the initiation and scale-up of low-carbon innovations that provide strong endogenous incentives for proactive transitions. The study unveils the relevance of technology-specific characteristics and the potential countering effect of urban politics in shaping the outcomes of energy transitions, adding both nuance and depth to the DUET framework.