China Energy Outlook 2020 - Flipbook - Page 24
Figure 1-6. China’s Primary Energy Consumption per Unit of GDP (1980-2019)
Source: NBS, various years (b).
Starting in 2006, the Chinese government established binding targets in the 11th (2016-2010),
12th (2011-2015), and 13th (2016-2020) Five-Year Plans to reduce economic energy intensity
(Table 1-1) and implemented a number of policies and programs to support achievement of
these targets (see Chapter 2). As a result, China was able to “basically” achieve the 11th FYP
target,8 surpass the 12th FYP target, and is on track to achieve the 13th FYP target by 2020.
From 2005 to 2018, following implementation of these policies and programs, China’s economic
energy intensity has once again declined annually, at an average rate of -4.4%, similar to the
declines experienced during the 1980-2002 period. This decline, however, has slowed recently
to -3.7% between 2016-2017 and -2.5% between 2017-2019.
Table 1-1. China’s Economic Energy Intensity (Primary Energy Use per Unit of GDP) Reduction Targets
Economic Energy Intensity
Reduction
Target
Achievement
11th Five-Year Plan
2006-2010
- 20%
-19.1%
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12th Five-Year Plan
2011-2015
- 16%
-20%
13th Five-Year Plan
2016-2020
- 15%
-14% (as of 2019)
The term “basically” was used in central government documents, such as the Review of the Energy Conservation
and Emission Reduction during the 11th Five-Year Plan, to describe that China came very close to meeting the
“around 20%” target (http://www.gov.cn/gzdt/2011-09/27/content_1957502.htm).
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