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China and India say they are making headway to improve energy efficiency, according to local reports.

Figures from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in China report that the country has reduced its energy intensity – energy consumption per unit of gross domestic product – by 2.9% in the first quarter of this year compared with 2008.

Although total energy consumption rose by 3% in the same period, the Chinese economy grew by 6.1%.

In November last year, the government announced a $586 billion stimulus package to support domestic growth, while saving energy and protecting the environment. According to the National Development and Reform Commission, around 10% of the budget is going towards energy conservation, emission control and environmental protection projects.

“[The data] show that the central government’s stimulus package to tackle the international financial crisis has maintained growth and helped economic structure adjustment, energy saving and pollution reduction,” said a statement from the NBS.

The Chinese government has set a target of reducing average energy consumption by 20% between 2006 and 2010. By 2008, the government reported a reduction in average energy consumption of 10% compared with 2005.

The government has promised a further 2.5 billion yuan for energy saving projects over the next three years.

Meanwhile, the Indian Government says the country’s energy usage is growing at a rate of 3.7-5% while the economy is reporting 8-9% growth.

The introduction of mandatory energy audits, energy standards and an energy conservation building code will help the country improve energy efficiency by a further 20%, says the Government.

For further information:
www.stats.gov.cn/english/
en.ndrc.gov.cn/
india.gov.in/