The state is accelerating the implementation of special actions for energy conservation and carbon reduction in different sectors and industries.

Yuan Da, Deputy Secretary-General of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), introduced on the 13th that the NDRC will work with relevant parties to accelerate the implementation of special actions for energy conservation and carbon reduction in different sectors and industries.

The National Energy Conservation Awareness Week was launched that day in Wuhan, Hubei Province. At the launch ceremony, Yuan Da said that special actions for energy conservation and carbon reduction will be carried out in key sectors and industries such as construction, steel, oil refining, synthetic ammonia, electrolytic aluminum, cement, and data centers, and the low-carbon transformation and construction of coal-fired power plants will be continuously promoted. Guided by raising standards for energy consumption, emissions, and technology, and combined with equipment upgrades, consumer goods trade-ins, expanding effective investment, and renovation of old residential areas, the energy conservation and carbon reduction transformation in key sectors will be accelerated. Central government budgetary investment and ultra-long-term special treasury bonds will be used to actively support energy conservation and carbon reduction projects.

Since the beginning of the 14th Five-Year Plan, my country has achieved positive results in energy conservation and carbon reduction. Yuan Da disclosed a set of data: In the first three years of the 14th Five-Year Plan, after deducting energy consumption for raw materials and non-fossil energy, the national energy intensity cumulatively decreased by approximately 7.3%, equivalent to consuming about 340 million tons less standard coal equivalent of fossil fuels and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by about 900 million tons. Nationwide, over 700 million kilowatts of coal-fired power units underwent "three-in-one" energy conversion projects, with the average coal consumption for thermal power generation cumulatively decreasing by 3.5 grams of standard coal equivalent per kilowatt-hour. Over 300 million square meters of existing urban buildings underwent energy-saving renovations, resulting in a decrease of approximately 3% in energy consumption per unit area of public institutions. As of the first quarter of this year, the national installed capacity of renewable energy reached 1.58 billion kilowatts, accounting for approximately 40% of the global total.

He stated that while acknowledging the achievements in energy conservation and carbon reduction, it is also important to recognize that the current situation regarding energy conservation and carbon reduction in the country and some regions remains quite severe, making the task of achieving the 14th Five-Year Plan's energy intensity reduction target arduous. Going forward, the National Development and Reform Commission will closely monitor the binding indicators for reducing energy intensity during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, continuously improve the long-term mechanism for energy conservation and carbon reduction management, and actively create a strong atmosphere of energy conservation and carbon reduction throughout society.

At the launch ceremony, the National Development and Reform Commission announced the commencement of energy efficiency diagnosis for key energy-consuming units, the National Energy Conservation Center promoted a number of advanced energy-saving and carbon-reduction technologies, and the China National Institute of Standardization released a progress report on energy-saving and carbon-reduction standards.

This year's National Energy Conservation Awareness Week will be held from May 13th to 19th, with the theme "Green Transformation, Energy Conservation Breakthrough." Activities will include energy conservation and carbon reduction actions by key industry enterprises, National Low-Carbon Day, energy conservation and carbon reduction initiatives in public institutions, green and low-carbon living, and promotional activities in schools and homes.

(Xinhua News Agency, Wuhan, May 13th)

Source: Economic Information Daily Editor: Zhang Yutian