Characteristics of Energy Consumption in the Process of Regional Economic Integration Development: Beijing-Tianjin- Hebei Economic Belt versus Tokyo-to Metropolitan Area

Energy consumption plays a significant role in the integration process of Beijing- Tianjin-Hebei economic belt. This paper compares energy situation of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei economic belt and Tokyo-to metropolitan area. The results show there are some differences between Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei economic belt and Tokyo-to metropolitan area: first, the proportion of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei economic belt in China is lower than the proportion of Tokyo-to metropolitan area in Japan; second, energy intensity of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei economic belt experiences a trend of descending, while it holds stable in Tokyo-to metropolitan area; third, energy structure of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei economic belt has a serious reliance on coal, whereas, in Tokyo-to metropolitan area, consumption of oil took the main proportion of energy structure, consumption of renewable energy increasing constantly. Based on our findings, we present some policy implications for energy save in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei economic belt. (paper)