US, China both benefit from energy efficiency cooperation: US expert

With top government energy officials and industry leaders from China and the United States filling a downtown Denver convention hall, Jon Creyts felt quite at home.

At the 8th Annual US-China Energy Efficiency Forum held here on Friday, the managing director of the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), a non-profit US organization, headed a closing panel that addressed future trends in China's energy revolution.

"Regarding cooperation between the US and China, there is no area we should agree on more than the benefits of energy efficiency," Creyts told Xinhua, noting that the two countries produce 43 percent of the world's harmful carbon dioxide emissions and a stunning 38 percent of all global energy use.

In an exclusive interview with Xinhua Saturday, Creyts reiterated that China had become a leader in the field of renewable energy.

"China is undoubtedly on the top of the leaders in energy efficiency. It is growing it's clean energy base faster than anyone in the world and pursuing energy alternatives faster than anyone in the world," said the recognized global expert on China's vast and complex energy sector.

Company leaders from China and the US sign cooperation deal about renewable energy.

He contributed the achievement to the Chinese government's desire and unique system advantage.

"I have found in my collaboration with Chinese leaders their dedication and eagerness to collaborate and do things differently," he said. "China has a sincere desire for clean air understanding that the science is there, and they are not encumbered by the same restrictions as the United States. They get things done quickly."

When asked about the Chinese citizens' impatience with the progress of correcting air pollution, Creyts said, "It is that dissatisfaction that will increase the change faster."

"The USA does have blue skies, and in some ways, people don't feel compelled to act," Creyts said. "China can deal with the economics of growth and climate change, and the adoption of renewable energy that we don't see in the US."

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)