June 17 marks China's first National Low-Carbon Day. It was introduced by the State Council or China's cabinet in its bid to cut greenhouse gas emissions in the world's second-largest economy. The day will fall on the third day of the National Energy Efficiency Promotion Week every June.

During the week, the government will hold a series of events to promote awareness about climate change and low-carbon development policies and to encourage citizens to do their part.

The government has pledged to cut the energy use per unit of GDP by 16 percent by 2015 from the level in 2011. At the same time, the target for non-fossil fuel energy usage is 11.4 percent of the country's total energy consumption from the current 8.6 percent.