China's central government ordered a day without air
conditioners on Tuesday as a gesture to exhibit its resolution to
cut energy consumption and improve energy efficiency.
The campaign, dubbed "experiencing energy shortage", has drawn
the participation of offices and government departments under the
State Council.
Beijing was not as sun-burning as previous days on Tuesday, but
the overcast weather still made people sweater in the
afternoon.
Zhao Hong, who works with the State Administration of Taxation,
said he supports the decision to go without the air conditioner for
one day, as sweater beads oozes on his forehead.
"The campaign is just a gesture. However, after we feel for
ourselves how we are going to suffer without electricity, the value
and importance of energy become more real to us," Zhao said in his
office.
The campaign is seen by observers as a symbolic move to set an
example of energy conservation and a sound publicity measure.
Official statistics show that China's governmental institutions
account for five percent of the nation's total annual electricity
consumption, equal to the electricity consumed annually by 800
million farmers.
"The campaign allows officials to get first-hand experience of
energy shortage, which will promote them to make more sound
decisions," said Ding Yuanzhu, a professor with the prestigious
Beijing University and a researcher with the National Development
and Reform Commission.
"The move is significant to improving decision-making," Ding
said.
After many years of fast economic growth, China now faces
serious pollution problems and energy shortage.
The challenge of reducing energy consumption and GHG emissions
has proved arduous as China's economy grew 11.1 percent in the
first quarter but power consumption surged 14.9 percent.
China has set a target of reducing energy consumption for every
10,000 yuan (US$1,298) of GDP by 20 percent by 2010.
But energy consumption fell only 1.23 percent last year, well
short of the annual goal of four percent.
Reasons behind the failure, as cited in the government work
report released in early March, included slow progress in
industrial restructuring and fast growth in sectors that consumed
more energy and discharged more pollutants.
Since 2006, the central government has signed accountability
documents on energy saving with local governments and major
enterprises.
Li Zhong, general manager of a subsidiary of Huaneng Power Group
in southern Hainan Province, said the parent company has assigned
specific, annual energy saving tasks to him. If he fails, the
parent company will ignore all of his other achievements this
year.
An increasing number of rural enterprises have voluntarily made
pledges to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions,
said Bai Jinming, an official with the Ministry of Agriculture.
"The experiencing campaign will play a positive role in helping
to build and enhance awareness of energy saving in the whole
society," said professor Ding.
(Xinhua News Agency June 13, 2007)