New system will cut Beijing's energy use

BEIJING - Half of the existing residential buildings in Beijing will adopt a metered charging method for heating by 2015 in a bid to realize the city's energy-saving goals, municipal authorities have said.

Supporting policies such as providing extra subsidies to low-income families will be introduced, according to the city's energy-saving plan for the period of 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-2015).

The document was released on Aug 22 by the Beijing municipal commission of housing and urban-rural development and the commission of development and reform.