China will take steps to speed up the establishment of a national calculation system for greenhouse gas emissions, said a statement from the State Council, China's cabinet, on November 9.

The State Council has approved a plan to contain greenhouse gas emissions in a bid to realize a 17-percent fall in C02 emissions per 10,000 yuan ($157.70) of GDP by 2015.

In addition to actively developing and promoting low-carbon energy technologies, the statement said that government institutions and social groups will also be asked to take the initiative to promote green, healthy lifestyles and economical consumption.

The statement also set out the targets given to local governments in terms of how much of a reduction per 10,000 yuan of GDP was expected from each local area.