China outlines plans to tackle pollution
中國出爐治理污染計劃

In another sign of how China is planning to tackle its pollution problem, the government outlines how it plans to improve the environment. Energy efficiency tops the list of targets China hopes to achieve.

By 2020, the country aims to reduce the ratio of carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP by 40 to 45 percent from its 2005 level. An attempt will be made to boost the share of non-fossil fuels energy to about 15 percent.

Other targets include a steady improvement in water and soil quality, forestry and wetland coverage. To achieve these goals, China will set a cap on resource exploitation.

The plan also introduces for the first time the notion of a "bottom line", which means environmental quality can only get better, not worse.

Under the new guidelines, government officials' careers will be linked to environmental protection work. Environmental damage and waste of resources will play an increasing role in assessment of Communist Party officials.

The plan states that any damage to the eco-system will be recorded in officials' files and they won't be promoted or transferred to important positions.