China’s energy intensity drops 4.5%

China’s energy use in generating each dollar of gross domestic product fell 4.59% in 2008, the National Bureau of Statistics said in late February. The decline was greater than a previously reported drop of 4.2% , suggesting Beijing may be getting a little closer, at least numerically, to its energy-saving target. China set a goal of cutting energy intensity—the amount of fuel needed to generate each dollar of national income—by 20% through 2010. It abandoned a yearly reduction target of 4% after falling short in the initial years of its plan, but the Chinese government said it had not officially abandoned its 20% goal. (February 26, 2009)