China issues guidelines promoting green consumption

BEIJING - Ten Chinese ministries on Tuesday jointly issued guidelines on green consumption, the latest move to boost green and sustainable development in a country battling to rein in pollution and waste.

The document, issued by 10 ministries including the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Finance, aims to ensure that the country adopts a "green and healthy" consumption mode by 2020.

China has been pushing for green consumption in recent years as the country has faced a series of "urban diseases" after three decades of rapid economic growth. These urban ills include traffic jams, limited ability to handle sewage and garbage, and polluted air, water and soil.

"New energy vehicles shall account for more than 30 percent of new vehicles bought by public institutions in 2016, and by 2020, new energy vehicles will be widely used nationwide," according to the guidelines published at the official website of the National Development and Reform Commission.

The country will continue to promote the use of energy-saving products, with energy-efficient appliances expected to account for at least 50 percent of market share by 2020, the guidelines said.

China will improve economic policies to boost development of green industries and introduce new incentives to encourage green consumption, the guidelines said.

The country will introduce policies to steer people away from heavily polluting lifestyles and industries, and raise people's awareness of a healthy lifestyle, environmental protection, and energy conservation in their pursuit of a comfortable life, the guidelines added.