China bats for massive energy conservation

China needs a revolution in energy production and consumption.

In his strongest call yet for greater environmental protection, outgoing Chinese President Hu Jintao said China will introduce new caps for energy and water use in an effort to conserve resources.

Speaking to the Communist party’s 18th Congress, Hu called for “fundamental change” in the way resources are used and underscored the need for conservation and recycling as building blocks for ecological improvement.

“We should launch a revolution in energy production and consumption, impose a ceiling on total energy consumption, save energy and reduce its consumption,” he said.

China’s ambitious targets to promote renewable energy include deriving 11% of its electricity from non-fossil fuels by 2015. Hu, however, said that future energy policy will focus both on conserving energy and changing the energy mix.

To reach this goal, China will impose taxes for resource consumption and fines for ecological damage, Hu said. China will also start trial trading systems for energy savings, carbon emission rights, pollution discharge rights and water rights.