The David and Lucille Packard Foundation has established a $50 million program to promote the development of a sustainable energy future for China. The China Sustainable Energy Program (CSEP) is managed through the Energy Foundation of San Francisco. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory  (LBNL) is involved in implementing CSEP, through technical and management support as well as execution of individual CSEP-funded activities.

LBNL has provided technical assistance for Energy Foundation's China Sustainable Energy Program projects related to developing and implementing industrial sector energy efficiency policies in China since 1999. Initially, LBNL worked with the China Energy Conservation Association (CECA) and a group of Chinese experts to review and analyze Chinese and international industrial sector energy efficiency policies and to design a pilot program for implementation of energy efficiency agreements for the steel sector in Shandong Province. Experts from Ecofys and NOVEM in The Netherlands have provided detailed information on their experience with the Dutch Long-Term Agreements during this process.

In April 2003, China’s first two energy efficiency agreements between the Shandong Economic and Trade Commission and two steel mills were signed. In addition to assisting in the development and monitoring of the pilot project, LBNL also provided technical assistance to a group of experts convened by Professor Wang Xuejun of Beijing University that developed an “Implementation Method for Energy Saving and Pollution Reduction Cooperative Agreements”. LBNL has further supported the efforts of the China Iron and Steel Association to investigate international experience related to implementation and evaluation of energy efficiency agreements in the industrial sector.

In 2004, LBNL provided technical assistance to the China National Institute of Standards (CNIS) for revision of standards for the economical operation of fan, pump, and compressed air systems.  Working with a team of system experts, LBNL researchers introduced the concept of using a “best practices” approach for motor-driven systems in the revision of these standards.  Promulgated as a voluntary standard by the CNIS in 2005, GB/T13466-2005 - The general principles of economical operation for fans (pumps, compressors) system of alternating-current electric drive represents the first such known standard anywhere. The Energy Foundation also provided LBNL with support for the development and discussion of the concepts of the Industrial Standards Framework with the China National Institute of Standards and Chinese ISO experts.

In 2005, LBNL supported the China Sustainable Energy Program's efforts to bolster Chinese government resources for clean energy technologies through tax and fiscal policies. LBNL researched and wrote a technical paper providing an overview of tax and fiscal energy efficiency policies and measures for the industrial sector.

Currently, LBNL is providing technical assistance to the China Sustainable Energy Program's effort to support the Top-1000 Energy-Consuming Enterprise Program which is a key element in the national plan to reduce energy consumption per unit of gross domestic product by 20% by 2010 relative to 2005.