Editorials

Realistic green target

(China Daily)
Updated: 2011-03-31 07:53

The 3.5-percent cut in energy intensity that China announced for 2011 may look less ambitious than the average 4-percent annual cut that the country has tried to achieve over the previous five years.

However, such a nominally lower target in reducing energy use per unit of gross domestic product (GDP) does not mean the task will be any easier.

In fact, China has little low-hanging fruit left to pick as it can no longer reap easy energy efficiency gains from shutting down outdated power plants or energy-guzzling factories.

Given that the Chinese government has pledged to reduce energy intensity per unit of GDP by 16 percent of its 2010 levels during the 12th Five-Year Plan period (2011-2015), the new energy intensity target should be deemed as a modest and pragmatic goal that demands all-out support from all walks of life.

The 2008 global economic crisis forced China to backpedal for a while in its pursuit of energy-saving, environmentally friendly and sustainable growth as the country rushed to invest 4 trillion yuan in stimulus spending to revive flagging industrial production.

Nevertheless, in spite of such setbacks, China still managed to cut energy consumption per unit of GDP by 19.06 percent between 2006 and 2010, a shade lower than its self-imposed target of 20-percent.

Such a remarkable improvement in energy efficiency is definitely in the fundamental interest of China, as it enhanced its long-term energy security and sustainable development. But, it also did the world a favor by easing the impact of its growing manufacturing power on the international energy market.

Now, as China powers forward as the world's second largest economy, it is expected that this key engine for global growth will continue to become more efficient in its use of energy.

To this end, Chinese enterprises should redouble their efforts to go green. They need to reap more energy efficiency gains through innovation rather than closing outdated facilities.

It is reassuring to know that Chinese policymakers have aimed to reduce energy use per unit of industrial value-added output by 4 percent this year, relative to 2010 levels. This means Chinese manufacturers on average will cut energy intensity deeper than others in the country during 2011.

However, to develop a greener economy as China transforms its growth model to a consumption-led one, Chinese consumers also need to play their part by pursuing energy-saving lifestyles. Adopting a green consumption pattern will reduce the amount of energy they consume and encourage production of energy-efficient goods.

The new energy target is a call for action. So let's do it now.