China aims to reduce energy consumption per unit of GDP by 3.5 percent in 2011 from the level a year ago, an official with the country's top planner said on Tuesday.

Carbon dioxide emission is also set to be slashed by 3.5 percent, said Li Pumin, spokesman of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), which is in charge of energy-saving work.

Emissions of major pollutants including sulfur dioxide and (COD) chemical oxygen demand will fall 1.5 percent, Li told an online interview.

Chinese Government vowed to make its economy greener in the forthcoming five years after brisk economic growth at the cost of heavy pollution and resource use proved to be unsustainable.

According to the draft 12th Five-year Plan (2011-2015) for China's economic and social development, the nation aims to reduce energy consumption per unit of GDP by 16 percent in the five years to 2015. Carbon dioxide emission will drop by 17 percent.

(Xinhua News Agency March 8, 2011)