China Energy Efficiency Improves

2 August 2009 (Last Updated August 2nd, 2009 18:30)

China cut its average energy consumption by almost 4% in the first half of 2009 from a year ago, helped by massive stimulus spending on green projects, the government announced. The figure is 3.53%, compared to a decline of 2.89% in the first quarter of the year, the National Developmen

China cut its average energy consumption by almost 4% in the first half of 2009 from a year ago, helped by massive stimulus spending on green projects, the government announced.

The figure is 3.53%, compared to a decline of 2.89% in the first quarter of the year, the National Development and Reform Commission said in a statement.

At the end of 2008, China unveiled a four-trillion-yuan ($580bn) fiscal package aimed at mitigating the impact of the global crisis, with part of the money meant to be spent on improved energy efficiency, writes AFP.

China, one of the world’s largest emitters of greenhouse gases, has set a goal of reducing average energy consumption by 20% to 2010.