From the view of the relationship between energy consumption rate and the scientific and technological progress, industrial structure, energy consumption structure and environmental protection, this article set up a model of energy consumption rate of the evolution of Dalian with the application of complex adaptive systems theory. The use of emissions equivalent calculation method makes the calculation of Dalian equivalent emissions of major pollutants and the establishment of evolution model of Equivalent emissions of major pollutants. In the distribution of economic growth on the theoretical foundation, it set up the economic growth model of Dalian. The adaptive control theory was used in the energy - environment - sustainable economic development studies. From the pressure - state - in response view, it makes the adaptive control system of sustainable development. It optimizes the design of the development path and its control trajectory of energy - environment - development of sustainable economic in Dalian in 2020.