China's government is to conduct a nationwide survey of efforts by local governments to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

The government has set a target of reducing energy consumption per unit of GDP by 20 percent and major pollutant emissions by 10 percent from the 2005 levels by 2010, in a bid to protect environment and insure a sustainable development.

"However, the country still faces great difficulties in fulfilling the commitment, and the situation remains arduous," said National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) deputy director Xie Zhenhua on Monday.

In the past two years, energy consumption per unit of GDP had only been reduced by 5 percent annually, according to NDRC figures.

Four central government departments on Monday launched a special campaign to oversee efforts by local departments to promote energy conservation and reduce discharges of pollutants.

The departments are the NDRC, and the ministries of supervision, environmental protection, and housing and urban-rural development.

The NDRC also announced on Monday the establishment of the National Energy Conservation Center to provide technical support for energy efficiency management.

The center would draw up energy conservation policies, regulations, research programs and mechanisms.

The center would also be responsible for providing energy-saving assessments of fixed asset investment projects and promoting energy-saving technology.

The center would provide energy conservation training programs, and international exchanges and cooperation.

(Xinhua News Agency October 21, 2008)