Updated

Chinese officials have imposed limits on growth in energy consumption aimed at making the country less dependent on coal.

Under the State Council's development plan issued Wednesday, energy consumption by 2020 must be no more than 28 percent higher than the 2013 level.

For coal specifically, the increase would be limited to 16 percent.

The plan was released a week after the country announced it would stop the growth of its carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 at the latest. China is the world's biggest energy user and emits more greenhouse gases than any other country.

The environmental group Greenpeace said the 2020 coal growth target is too lenient, and should only allow 8 percent growth.

The country has yet to announce the peak level of its carbon dioxide emissions.