According to the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), China energy intensity, which measures the amount of energy needed to generate one unit of GDP, decreased by 2.6% in 2019, which was lower than the Chinese government target of 3% cut. The country felt short of its energy efficiency goals in 2019 due to the fast growth in the economic sector of steel, building materials, non-ferrous metals, chemicals, and the services. However, the NDRC also announced that the country carbon intensity (the amount of carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP) decreased by 4.1% against a target of 3.6%.
As part of the 13th five-year Plan, China committed to reduce its energy intensity by 15% from 2015-2020. At the end of 2019, the target was 87.1% achieved. The coronavirus epidemic is expected to slash economic activity more than it reduces energy consumption.