Pudong New Area government officials yesterday outlined the steps they are planning to ensure sustainable development by maximizing the efficiency of energy resources and improving the environment.

"We should try to achieve economic development through the wise use of our energy sources," said Wan Daning, the new area's deputy governor.

By 2020, Pudong's gross domestic product is expected to increase fourfold from last year's 179 billion yuan (US$21.57 billion) while resource consumption is expected to rise by less than 70 percent, according to the government's goal.

To achieve its objectives, two of Pudong's departments - the Development and Planning Bureau and the Environmental Protection Bureau - conducted scientific research on how to ensure economic growth while protecting the environment.

The researchers emphasized that production value in Pudong should continue to rise faster than resource consumption.

Officials said they will continue to keep out industries that cause heavy pollution and encourage development of the service sector. The value-added output of the service industry is expected to reach 96 billion yuan this year, accounting for 48 percent of Pudong's GDP.

Among its environmental plans, the government said it will connect many rivers and creeks in the new area by digging and dredging to make them more self sustaining and create an abundant source of water for road cleaning and agricultural irrigation.