A comprehensive scheme for energy saving and emission reduction during the National 12th Five-Year Plan has been submitted to the State Council, China’s cabinet, for approval, the 21st Century Business Herald reported Tuesday.

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Han Wenke, director of the Energy Research Institute at the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) said another specific plan will be submitted to the State Council soon and likely be publicized by August.

China has pledged to cut 40 percent to 50 percent of carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP in 2020, based on 2005 numbers. China proposes to decrease energy consumption by 16 percent per unit of GDP, the newspaper reported.

The plan indicates that energy-saving goals should be binding by law to avoid rolling blackouts and any future waste of energy resources.

“It is not easy for local governments not only to achieve the goal of a 16 percent reduction, but also to control aggregate energy consumption,” Han said.

He also said China will adopt favorable policies for those industries that can develop new technologies to reduce energy consumption.