China Talking Conservation, But Has Doubled Coal Use 2002-2007 - Now 3 Billion Tons/Yr

[hatrack]

BEIJING, Dec. 17 (UPI) -- While the Chinese government is embracing energy efficiency and investing in new green technology, China continues to burn coal at record rates.

Between 2002 and 2007 China doubled its coal consumption, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

This year, China is on track to burn 3 billion tons of coal, nearly three times as much as the second-largest consumer, the United States, and about 40 percent of total global consumption during the same time.

While China has pledged to produce power more efficiently, saying it will reduce carbon intensity by 40 percent from 2005 to 2020, its energy requirements keep skyrocketing.

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http://www.upi.com/Science_News/Resource-Wars/2009/12/17/China-continues-grip-on-coal/UPI-46051261090206/