Exporting, ownership status and energy efficiency: A micro-level study in the Indian manufacturing sector

We study the relationship between export status and ownership status and energy efficiency of firms in the Indian manufacturing sector. Our panel data estimation reveals that exporters are more energy efficient than non-exporters. The quantile regression results further note that exporters in the higher quantiles are more energy efficient than their lower quantile counterparts. We also find that foreign firms are more energy efficient in India than domestic firms. The study further identifies the threshold levels of economic growth, investment and use of renewable energy to improve firms’ energy efficiency. The observed non-linear relationship offers important policy suggestions.