Thirteenth International Conference on The Constructed Environment

Abstract

In general, impacts of climate change on New Brunswick economy include increased number of hot and cold days, severe rainfalls, winter storms, and sea level rise. This study examines the impact of climate change on industrial electricity demand using time series analysis and emphasizes the importance of adaptation and mitigation measures in light of the complex, long-term nature of the issue and the often-misunderstood relationship between climate change and energy. In this regard, this study addresses two main questions: (i) How climate change impacted industrial demand for electricity over last 30 years in the province? (ii) How industrial electricity consumption changes due to changes in temperature? We analyze the relationship between industrial energy consumption and climate change in the province through advanced time series analysis. To achieve this goal, we first derive the factor demand for industrial electricity analytically and then we estimate it on the basis of time series analysis including climate related variables. Our major climate related variables are average temperature, cooling degree days (CDD) and heating degree days (HDD). As our results show, climate related variables have statistically significant impact on the industrial electricity demand in the province of New Brunswick. By conducting this study, we hope to contribute to the understanding of the connection between energy consumption and climate change and provide valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders.