Beijing environmental society founded

The Beijing Energy and Environmental Society was officially founded Saturday in Beijing.

The society will pool the common wisdom of experts, scholars, enterprises, research institutions and professionals from universities, further promote industrial upgrading and transition, and contribute to the coordinated development of Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei, said Li Yongfang, head of the society.

Coal has been the most abundant, reliable and economical energy source in China for many years and the consumption structure was an inevitable choice for China, said Wang Jinhua, president of China Coal Technology and Engineering Group.

However, the extensive use of coal caused serious environmental pollution and the utilization mode is in urgent need of updating, Wang added.

"We should input more in research and development, implement technology innovations, realize clean utilization of coal and control pollution," Wang said.

China's first energy and environment think tank and the Energy and Environment Expert Committee of Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei have also been set up.