China Commits to Cutting Growth in Fuel Consumption by 2020

The Chinese government has announced limits to the country's growth in energy consumption. Officials say the move will reduce China's reliance on coal and limit the increase of fossil fuel use. Under the new plan, by 2020 energy consumption must be no more than 28 percent above the 2013 levels. For coal, the increase cannot be higher than 16 percent. Greenpeace has slammed the coal target as too lenient, saying that the government should only allow 8 percent growth. China is currently the world's biggest polluter and energy user, emitting more greenhouse gases than any other country. The Chinese government has announced that its carbon dioxide levels will peak in 2030, but has yet to report at what level.