Beijing saving energy: one day without car, air conditioning for civil servants

Beijing saving energy: one day without car, air conditioning for civil servants

The 7 million civil servants consume about 5 percent of the country's total electricity a year, equal to the amount consumed by 780 million farmers. The government targeted its employees with the one-day ban so that they could serve as an example to others.

The order came on the heels of distressing news. China relies on coal for two-thirds of its energy needs, and pollution from generating plants and ill-regulated factories is fouling the air, the AP reports.

But the energy-saving day didn't prove popular. The China Daily said China's Cabinet, the State Council, gave the order, telling central government employees to leave their cars at home, to take stairs instead of elevators and to keep the air conditioning off.