Dynamic Evolution Of Global Renewable Energy Product Trade Network Structure And Its Influencing Mechanism

In order to solve the problems of energy crisis and environmental pollution,increasing the use of renewable energy has become an effective way for sustainable development in various countries.As an important reusable resource,the worldwide trading volume of renewable energy related products has reached hundreds of billions of dollars per year.The global trade of renewable energy products not only solves the problem of resource scarcity,relieves environmental pressure and brings considerable economic benefits,but also contributes to the development of global circular economy.From a practical point of view,it is of vital importance to study the trade of renewable energy products,and a comprehensive understanding of the evolution of global trade in renewable energy products and its influencing factors is beneficial for policy makers to better formulate policies related to global economic and environmental sustainability.Based on the complex network theory,this thesis constructs the global trade networks of renewable energy products from 2009-2019 and comprehensively analyzes the evolutionary characteristics of this trade network.The results show that at the macro level,the overall global renewable energy products trade networks exhibit high reciprocity,heterogeneity and "small world" network characteristics.In terms of community division,the global renewable energy product trade networks can be divided into Asia-Oceania,Europe-Africa,America and Southern Africa,but on the whole,the global renewable energy product trade networks are not obviously divided into communities,and the renewable energy product trade activities among countries in the world tend to be more globalized and integrated.In the micro level,Germany has the most import and export trade partners,and more than half of the top 10 renewable energy products import and export countries come from developed countries in Europe and America.China is the largest exporter of renewable energy products,and Germany is an important exporter of renewable energy products worldwide.In addition,the United States,Japan and South Korea also play an important role as the hub of global renewable energy products trade networks.Using Temporal Exponential Random Graph Model(TERGM)to analyze the determinants affecting the dynamic changes of the structure of the renewable energy products trade networks,the results show that there are significant endogenous structure effects,node attribute effects and exogenous network effects in the formation and evolution of the global renewable energy products trade networks.On the endogenous structure effect,reciprocity,connectivity,transmission closure and preference attachment effects profoundly influence the evolution of the global renewable energy products trade network structure.In terms of individual attribute effects,countries with higher levels of economic development tend to both import and export renewable energy products,showing certain intra-industry trade characteristics.Countries with high per capita income and landlocked countries involved in the trade of renewable energy products tend to export renewable energy products.Countries with lower intensity of environmental regulations and economies within the same continent are more likely to trade in renewable energy products.In terms of exogenous network effects,countries or regions with historical colonial ties,the existence of common borders,or the signing of regional trade agreements are more likely to trade in renewable energy products.On the basis of the above empirical analysis,this thesis puts forward the following policy suggestions in the light of China’s actual situation: firstly,based on the existing Paris Climate Change Agreement and international trade agreements,we should actively build a unified and orderly coordination mechanism for international trade in renewable energy products,and we should improve the relevant national policies to promote the coordinated development of economy and environmental protection.Secondly,considering that geographical and cultural distance is an important factor hindering renewable energy products and trade,in order to reduce the trade cost of renewable energy,China should adhere to the principle of "proximity" when participating in international trade of renewable energy products.On the other hand,we should make good use of the "One Belt,One Road" and other related neighboring international platforms,and actively establish cooperation with countries in the platform on renewable energy industry construction.thirdly,in order to fill the shortage of low-carbon production technology in China,China should increase the import of low-carbon technology and equipment,shorten the gap with the world’s advanced level,improve the qualification rate and consistency of products to meet the shortage of domestic energy-saving and emission reduction technology,and reduce the dependence on fossil energy imports by accelerating the development of renewable energy instead of fossil energy imports.Finally,when China actively participates in the international trade of renewable energy products,it should further improve the production technology of renewable energy products,maximize the level of technology,reduce production costs and enhance market competitiveness.At the same time,we should improve the production standards of renewable energy products,establish a regulatory mechanism,and reduce the pollution of the environment in the production process.