Beijing, China, Sept. 27- one of the world's biggest economic superpowers is continuing with its efforts to work towards a greener economy. Over the years, China has been geared on protecting the environment and restoring economic balance for its residents. The country has been taking significant steps in meeting its goals, and has produced success stories in different regards of the economic 'greening' plan. 

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For starters, the country's overall energy consumption in 2014 marked a considerably lower growth rate as compared to that of the previous years. According to.New China, the country's energy consumption increased by 2.2 percent from 2013, just about a third of the 7 percent growth rate from 2009 to 2010. Coal consumption has also decreased by 2.9 percent last year, with more environmentally-friendly energy sources, like hydropower energy, accounting for most of what has been consumed that year.

UNEP's  advisory on China also indicated that the country has been able to keep its efforts to switch to low-carbon growth strategy. China's 11th  Five-year Plan, which has covered 2006 to 2010, has been able to accomplish much in greening the country. During those years, China has allocated investments to green sectors, and the country focused on renewable energy in making such measures. The goal was to reduce per unit GDP energy consumption by 20 percent by 2010. "In addition, the Chinese government has committed itself to producing 16 per cent of its primary energy from renewable sources by 2020," the advisory read.

China's 12th Five-Year Plan, which covers 2011 through 2015, sees China investing $468 billion for greening key economic sectors. This is a huge boost from the $211 billion it has invested in its previous Five-year plan. The focus of the current Five-year plan includes three key aspects: waste recycling and reusing, clean technologies,and renewable energy. The country has been working on the three aspects in its previous plans for greening.

To date, China has successfully reduced its carbon emmissions dramatically. Last year's carbon emmission level was 33.8 percent lower than that in 2005. China aims to reduce the level by 60 to 65 percent per unit GDP by 2030, with the 2005 level as basis. The country has also been able to succeed in forestation, as it now has 208 million hectares of forest. In the last four years, China has added almost 25 million hectares to its forest area. 

The work China has been utting into economic greening seems to be paying of. If the country is able to sustain its steps, then it may just be the beginning of a greener economy for the world. 

TagsEnvironment, green economy, UNEP, New China