Energy consumption went down 15.6 percent per unit of GDP in the first 4 years of China's 11th Five Year Plan period. According to the National Development and Reform Commission, that's saved nearly half a billion tons of coal.

In addition, total carbon dioxide emissions were reduced by 1.13 billion tons during the period. China saw an annual economic growth of 11.4 percent during the four years, but energy consumption increased only 6.8 percent annually.

The energy consumption reduction target for the 11th-Five Year Plan is expected to be met, and the goal for reducing gas emissions has already been completed ahead of schedule. In the 12th Five Year Plan, China will intensify policy measures and set up a long-term system, to effectively control energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in the next five years.