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.