Low carbon push must guarantee energy_ food security: Jinping

China's ambitious low-carbon goals should not come at the expense of energy and food security or the "normal life" of ordinary people_ President Xi Jinping said_ signalling a more cautious approach to climate change as the economy slows_ Reuters reports.

China_ the world's biggest source of climate-warming greenhouse gas emissions_ has been under pressure to "enhance ambition" and take more drastic action to tackle global warming.

But amid mounting economic challenges_ China is worried about the risk to jobs and growth_ especially as it prepares to hold a key Communist Party conclave that is expected to extend Xi's rule.

Xi told senior Communist Party leaders in a speech published late on Monday that China needed to "overcome the notion of rapid success" and proceed gradually.

"Reducing emissions is not about reducing productivity_ and it is not about not emitting at all_" Xi was quoted by state news agency Xinhua as saying.

"We must stick to the overall planning and ensure energy security_ industrial supply chain security and food security at the same time as cutting carbon emissions_" he said.

Since a national economic work meeting held at the end of last year_ Chinese policymakers have repeatedly stressed that the country would "prioritise stability" in 2022.

The approach has already started to feed into policy making_ with Zhang Bo_ Chief Engineer of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment_ telling reporters earlier this week that the country would not impose strict water quality targets on local governments_ and would instead encourage them to "consolidate" previous gains.

With energy supplies still a major concern after a wave of shortages hit manufacturers last year_ Xi also told Party leaders that "the gradual withdrawal of traditional energy must be based on the safe and reliable replacement by new energy."

China has promised to accelerate the shift to renewables_ but will only start to reduce coal consumption - a major source of CO2 - after 2025.

China's state planning agency also said in December that it will loosen blanket restrictions on energy consumption in order to ensure environmental targets do not erode growth.