China makes green energy 'promise'

China's government has pledged to promote renewable energy usage, but also warned that the country's consumption of coal is set to grow dramatically.

A report, published yesterday (December 26th) by the Chinese Cabinet office, included a commitment to push for increased use of hydroelectric, nuclear, solar and wind energy, as well as natural gas, the Associated Press reported.

However, the paper also highlighted the Chinese government's intention to step up its use of the country's domestic coal reserves.

And the report's authors specified that some measures would lead to reduced carbon emissions, they refused to commit to any binding limits.

"China will pay more attention to the clean utilisation of energy resources, especially coal, and make it a focus of environmental protection," the report said.

Figures published in the government report indicate that China's use of renewable energy sources and nuclear power increased from four per cent of its energy consumption in 1980 to 7.2 per cent last year.