Futuristic green city blending Chinese and Indian architecture.

Decarbonizing Our Homes: How China and India are Leading the Way to Greener Living

Samir D’Costa in Climate & Environment July 2025 • 4 min read.

"A deep dive into how the world's most populous nations are tackling residential carbon emissions, offering lessons and hope for a sustainable future."

The building sector is a major source of global carbon emissions, contributing 27% of the total. Within this, residential emissions have surged to a staggering 60% following the COVID-19 pandemic. This increase is particularly pronounced in emerging economies, making it crucial to examine the efforts of major players like China and India in tackling this challenge. Their actions are pivotal in shaping equitable carbon policies and influencing other developing nations.

Beyond broad economic indicators, it's essential to understand the specific factors driving carbon emissions in residential buildings. These factors include energy consumption patterns, influenced by user behavior and technological advancements within households. While many studies focus on macroeconomic trends, few directly compare the decarbonization progress driven by end-use behaviors in China and India during the 21st century.

To address this gap, a recent study has analyzed the historical processes of operational emissions and decarbonization in residential buildings in China and India. It also seeks to understand the impact of end-use performance on operational decarbonization. By examining these aspects, the research aims to evaluate the future potential for decarbonizing residential buildings and inform fair emissions caps for these nations.

Decoding Decarbonization: A Tale of Two Giants

Futuristic green city blending Chinese and Indian architecture.

A recent study employs a novel approach, combining a carbon intensity model with structural decomposition analysis, to evaluate the operational decarbonization progress in China and India over the past two decades. The findings reveal significant achievements in reducing carbon emissions. China and India have collectively reduced 1498.3 and 399.7 MtCO2, respectively, showcasing the impact of targeted decarbonization efforts.

Electrification emerges as a key driver in both countries, particularly in decarbonizing space cooling and appliances. As more households switch to electricity-powered devices and cooling systems, the overall carbon footprint of residential energy consumption decreases. This shift highlights the potential of technology and infrastructure upgrades in achieving substantial emissions reductions.

China's Steady Progress: China's operational carbon intensity experienced a gradual slowdown in growth from 2000 to 2010. With focused decarbonization strategies, a continuous decline was achieved between 2010 and 2020, averaging -0.9% per year.
India's Surge and Setback: India saw sustained growth in operational carbon intensity between 2000 and 2015. A peak was reached in 2018, followed by a decrease due to economic contraction amid the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions on fossil fuel consumption.
GDP Per Capita Impact: GDP per capita consistently showed a positive impact on carbon emissions, emphasizing the link between economic development and energy consumption.
Household Energy Efficiency: Household expenditure-related energy intensity had the most significant negative impact on carbon intensity reduction in both countries, promoting the shift towards cleaner energy sources.

The study highlights that emission factor effects efficiently drive residential building decarbonization in both China and India. Electrification significantly enhances contributions from space cooling, appliances, and lighting to decarbonization. These findings offer valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders looking to accelerate the transition towards sustainable residential energy consumption.

The Road Ahead: Sustainable Homes for a Sustainable Future

While China and India have made significant strides in decarbonizing their residential building operations, there is still much work to be done. The study emphasizes the need for continued efforts to improve energy efficiency, promote electrification, and transition to cleaner energy sources. By sharing their experiences and implementing effective policies, these nations can inspire other emerging economies to create greener homes and contribute to a more sustainable world.

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This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2407.01564,

Title: Decarbonization Analysis On Residential End Uses In The Emerging Economies

Subject: econ.gn q-fin.ec

Authors: Ran Yan, Minda Ma

Published: 17-05-2024

Everything You Need To Know

What specific strategies are China and India employing to reduce carbon emissions in their residential buildings?

Both China and India are focusing on several key strategies to reduce carbon emissions in residential buildings. Electrification is a primary driver, particularly in space cooling and appliances. China is demonstrating steady progress, with a continuous decline in operational carbon intensity between 2010 and 2020. India experienced growth initially, followed by a decrease influenced by economic factors and restrictions on fossil fuel consumption. Both nations are also improving energy efficiency and transitioning to cleaner energy sources to further their decarbonization goals.

How has electrification specifically impacted the decarbonization efforts in China and India's residential sectors?

Electrification has significantly enhanced decarbonization efforts in both China and India. The shift towards electricity-powered devices, especially for space cooling and appliances, has led to a decrease in the overall carbon footprint of residential energy consumption. This transition is a key component of both nations' strategies, as highlighted by the study's findings on emission factor effects driving residential building decarbonization. The research points out that electrification significantly enhances contributions from space cooling, appliances, and lighting to decarbonization.

What role does household energy efficiency play in the decarbonization progress of China and India?

Household expenditure-related energy intensity has the most significant negative impact on carbon intensity reduction in both China and India. This signifies that as households become more energy-efficient in their consumption patterns, the overall carbon intensity decreases. This is a critical aspect, as it encourages a shift towards cleaner energy sources. Both countries are emphasizing strategies that improve household energy efficiency to accelerate their decarbonization efforts.

What are the primary differences in the decarbonization trajectories of China and India's residential buildings over the past two decades?

Over the past two decades, China and India have displayed different trajectories in decarbonizing their residential buildings. China showed a gradual slowdown in the growth of operational carbon intensity from 2000 to 2010, followed by a continuous decline between 2010 and 2020. India, on the other hand, saw sustained growth in operational carbon intensity from 2000 to 2015. The trajectory in India peaked in 2018. While both nations are contributing to the reduction of emissions through various strategies, their timelines and the specific factors influencing their progress (such as economic changes, policy implementations, and energy consumption behavior) vary significantly.

What are the future implications of the decarbonization efforts in China and India for other developing nations?

The experiences of China and India in decarbonizing their residential buildings offer valuable lessons and insights for other developing nations. By sharing their successful strategies and implementing effective policies, these countries can inspire and guide other emerging economies in creating greener homes and contributing to a more sustainable world. The emphasis on electrification, improved energy efficiency, and a shift toward cleaner energy sources in China and India provides a practical roadmap for other nations to follow. These efforts highlight the potential for substantial emissions reductions in residential buildings globally, which is critical for achieving broader sustainability goals.