Chinese Vice-Premier Zeng Peiyan has told government departments
to set an example in saving energy and reducing pollution by using
less water, electricity and paper.
By 2010, the energy consumption of government agencies, by floor
space and head count, should be cut by at least 20 percent from the
2005 level, Zeng told a meeting on energy saving on Monday.
The vice-premier ordered government departments to exert "strict
control" on the scale of office buildings, renovate existing
buildings to make them more energy-efficient, and to promote the
use of energy-saving technologies.
Zeng stressed that all central government bodies must promote
the use of "economic, energy-saving, environmentally friendly and
home-made" automobiles and ban the private use of official
cars.
He also said that government departments should be economical in
using stationery and holding meetings, and he urged improvement in
government procurement of energy-efficient products.
Government departments and public places in China have been
asked to set air conditioners at or above 26 degrees Celsius during
this coming summer, with heaters at no warmer than 20 degrees
Celsius in winter.
According to the Government Offices Administration of the State
Council, government office buildings nationwide achieved declines
of 12 percent and 19 percent in per capita electricity consumption
and water use, respectively, in 2006. Adjusted for inflation, the
expense per head declined by 5.8 percent to 203 yuan (US$27.4).
Meanwhile, the administration ordered managers to buy
energy-efficient equipment and products worth up to 1.1 billion
yuan last year.
Even the Great Hall of the People has gotten involved. Located
on the western edge of Tiananmen Square, the landmark building's
consumption of electricity, water and gas was reduced by 4 percent,
14 percent and 4 percent, respectively, in 2006 compared with
2005.
China has vowed to reduce national energy intensity by 20
percent and major emissions by 10 percent between 2006 and
2010.
(Xinhua News Agency December 25, 2007)
