NDRC: China likely to miss energy saving targets

China will likely fail to meet its energy saving targets this year, according to the National Development and Reform Commission. Average energy consumption was reduced by 3.46% over the first nine months of the year, below the country’s full-year target of a 4% reduction, AFP reported, citing state media. Beijing set the goal of reducing average energy consumption by 20% between 2006 and 2010. In 2006 China achieved a 1.79% cut. This was followed by a 3.66% drop in 2007. Improving energy efficiency is seen as one of the best ways China could peg back its rising dependency on imported energy as well as halt environmental degradation.