The Shenzhen Municipal Government's commitment to reduce the consumption of resources was applauded by deputies to the Shenzhen Municipal People's Congress (MPC) reviewing the annual government work report Thursday.

"The report lists out more indexes restricting resource consumption than those indicating economic growth," a deputy named Shen Yi said.

In the government's plan for the next five years, the consumption of energy, water and land per unit of the GDP will be reduced by 10, 20 and 40 percent respectively, from the corresponding numbers for 2005. Meanwhile, 98 percent of renewable resources will be reused, and 20 percent of the treated sewage recycled.

Out of the eight major tasks of the government, three are related to a "green" economy, namely promoting a sustainable economy, making better use of land and saving energy and resources.

The government will set up pilot industrial parks and major projects for a sustainable economy, draw up standards and targets to reduce industrial energy consumption and establish a system to recycle renewable resources according to the principle of "reduce, reuse and recycle," according to the report.

(Shenzhen Daily March 24, 2006)