China Cuts Energy Consumption and Pollution in 2007      

On March 5th, 2008 China reported reductions in energy consumption as well as chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total sulfur dioxide emission last year.
    In 2007, China saw a 3.27% year-on-year drop in energy consumption for each unit of GDP, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said in his government work report to the First Session of the 11th National People's Congress.
    For the first time in recent years, China reported a reduction in both COD and the total emission of sulfur dioxide by 3.14% and 4.66% respectively from the previous year, he said.
    Wen attributed the reductions to the nation's energy conservation and environment protection efforts in the past five years.
    "We gave high priority to conserving resources and protecting the environment," he said. "Obligatory targets for saving energy and reducing emissions were set in the Outline of the Eleventh Five-Year Program for National Economic and Social Development."
    China had shut down a large number of outdated production facilities and launched ten major energy-saving projects, Wen said.
    Besides, the central government offered financial support for 691 projects to prevent and control water pollution in major river reaches.