China also aims to reduce energy consumption per unit of growth by 3.9 percent this year and next in order to meet its 16 percent goal for the 2011-2015 period.

China to take 5 million old cars off road in 2014

Future points to carbon trading

Half of the country faced an alarming rate in the first quarter in terms of energy consumption growth, according to Xu. The country has allocated provincial targets for annual energy consumption growth for 2014 and 2015. More than 10 provinces' targets exceed 10 million tons of standard coal.

"The target remains too lax; some provinces could contribute more. However, some local officials still hold the old way of thinking that economic development remains top priority, and they haven't paid enough attention to environmental issues," Li said.

Local officials will face greater accountability for their performance in saving energy and cutting emissions to ensure realizing the nation's energy intensity and emissions targets, said Xu of the NDRC.

At the same time, more stringent requirements have been imposed on newly built projects. Zhou Shengxian, China's environmental protection minister, said the ministry will further strengthen environmental impact assessment and total emissions will be regarded as a precondition in assessing projects.

Also, China plans to take more than 5 million "yellow label" vehicles that fail to meet fuel standards off its roads this year in a bid to improve air quality.