The core of the 20 ways to 20% is the Efficiency Games which is a competition started in September 2007 among schools, universities, and residential communities in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai. In the days leading up to the Beijing Games, the competition hopes that widespread participation and the competitive format will allow for a significant contribution from society to the goal of a “green Olympics.”

Families in each community will compete to see who can conserve the most water and electricity per month. Elementary, middle and high schools will compete to see who can produce the best educational plan. University students will compete to see who can create the best publicity plan. Through these various contests, the Efficiency Games provides a stage for citizens from every walk of life to publicize and participate in the conservation effort. 

In addition, the competition provides an online platform where anyone can write about their experiences during the energy saving effort to share with everyone else. 

Individuals and groups that excel in the contests for each venue—community, school, etc.—will be awarded Efficiency Hero medals and become models for those around them.