当前，我国是全球主要的能源消费和碳排放国家，推行节能战略将是助力实现碳达峰、碳中和目标的重要手段。本文分析了国内外能源消费的现状和特点，研判了我国能源消费的发展趋势，阐述了节能措施对能源发展路径的关键作用，以此厘清我国的节能潜力；基于投入产出法，建立了包括高耗能工业、交通业、建筑业在内的节能潜力评估模型，估算了现有政策场景、强化节能措施场景下我国总体能源消费量和节能潜力情况。在节能场景下，我国的能源消费总量将有效减少，可助力碳排放提前达峰。推进产业结构调整和产能更新，加快能源结构转型，突破革命性绿色低碳能源技术，推广普及节能技术及工艺，降低高耗能产品需求，倡导绿色低碳理念和节能生活方式，是落实节能增效的关键措施。研究建议，持续推动能源消费强度和总量双控；促进高耗能、低附加值产业的转型升级；加强低碳节能技术宣传，加大技术创新支持力度；健全节能法律法规和标准体系；推动渐进式城市更新与无废化建设；强化节能教育并提升节能意识，充分发挥节能增效对碳减排的关键作用。

China is a major country in energy consumption and carbon emission; therefore, it is critical for China to promote an energy saving strategy for realizing carbon peak and neutrality goals. In this study, we summarize the current status and characteristics and analyze the future trend of energy consumption in China, illustrating the significant role of energy saving measures regarding energy development. Subsequently, we build an energy saving potential evaluation model using the input–output method and apply it to the energy intensive industries, transportation, and building industry. In this manner, we evaluate the total energy consumption values and energy saving potentials under the current policy scenario and a scenario that strengthens energy saving measures. The results show that strengthening energy saving is an effective way for reducing energy consumption and peeking carbon emissions in advance. Key measures should include: promoting industrial structure adjustment, accelerating energy structure transformation, developing low carbon energy technologies, popularizing energy-saving technologies, reducing the demand for high energy-consuming products,and advocating energy-saving lifestyles. Furthermore, we propose several suggestions, including (1) continuously controlling energy consumption intensity and amount, (2) promoting the low-carbon transformation of energy-intensive and low-value-added industries,(3) strengthening the publicity and innovation of low-carbon energy-saving technologies, (4) improving the energy-saving regulations and standards system, (5) gradually promoting urban renewal and zero-waste construction, and (6) encouraging education to promote energy-saving awareness.