There is fresh evidence that improving efficiency in the use of traditional energy is going to be harder than expected. That is why China must race against time to develop more renewable energy to quench the nation's energy thirst and still meet its climate change goals.

Premier Wen Jiabao made this clear at the first meeting of the National Energy Commission on Thursday. He stressed that China should seek to ensure that non-fossil fuels account for 15 percent of the nation's energy consumption by 2020.

Meeting this goal is crucial in order to ensure the nation's energy security and pursue sustainable development.