Energy-saving rules

The regulations adopted by the State Council at the weekend on energy-saving in civilian buildings and public institutions are a further step in pressing ahead with the country's general strategy of sustainable development.

With the construction area of civilian buildings increasing by 1.8 to 2 billion sq m annually on the average and energy consumption in this area accounting for 27.5 percent of the total energy used nationwide, the potential for energy-saving in this sector can make a great difference to China's overall energy strategy.

The country adopted energy- saving standards for civilian housing in the 1980s and they have been revised several times in order to save more energy.