By LI Linxu

In its latest decarbonization push, China announced a new plan to save energy and cut emissions on January 24.

The document, titled Comprehensive Work Plan for Energy Conservation and Emission Reduction During the 14th Five-Year Plan Period (2021-2025), details the country's goals and measures for its green transformation efforts.

By 2025, the energy consumption per unit of GDP should decrease by 13.5 percent from the 2020 level, according to the plan released by the State Council, noting that the total energy consumption will be reasonably controlled.

Aiming to be world-class in its energy utilization efficiency in key industries and the emission control of main pollutants, China vows to reduce the chemical oxygen demand and the total emissions of ammoniacal nitrogen by eight percent each.

It also seeks to cut the total emission of nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds by more than 10 percent each, according to the plan.

A smart fast-charging station for new energy vehicles. (PHOTO:XINHUA)

To achieve these goals, the plan puts forward 10 key projects including green upgrade of key industries, eco-friendly uplift of industrial parks, energy conservation retrofit of towns, emission reduction of main pollutants in key regions, and improvement of environmental infrastructures.

Take the green upgrade project of key industries for example, it will focus on industries such as iron and steel, nonferrous metal, building materials and petro-chemicals.

By 2025, at least 530 million tons of iron and steel production capacity should complete ultra-low emission transformation, said the plan.

It mandates that, through energy conservation and carbon reduction actions, at least 30 percent of production capacity in key industries, such as iron and steel, electrolytic aluminum, cement, and plate glass, would meet energy efficiency benchmarks.

The plan also calls for promoting energy conservation and emission reduction efforts in the field of transportation and logistics. By 2025, the proportion of new energy vehicle sales is expected to amount to 20 percent of new car sales, while the freight volume through rail and water transport will be further increased.

Clean and efficient use of coal is also highlighted in the plan. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, the coal consumption of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and Yangtze River Delta region will drop by 10 percent and five percent respectively.

Coordination should be strengthened to make concerted efforts to reduce carbon emissions, cut pollution, expand green efforts and promote growth, according to a news release from a group study session of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee held on January 24, stressing that the economic development and green transition should be mutually reinforcing.