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"China has long been the world's fastest-growing major economy," Ban said in a speech in Beijing. "It is also a leading emitter of greenhouse gases, and it is one of the country’s most vulnerable to the impact of climate change."
His warning was issued at the launch of a project to promote energy-saving lighting, which the government said could cut energy consumption by 8%.
"China's progress on achieving sustainable economic and energy policies simultaneously is crucial not just for the citizens of China but also for the citizens of the world," Ban said before a scheduled meeting with President Hu Jintao later in the day.
"Your approach to climate change can demonstrate to the world that China is ready to take up a global leadership role in the 21st century," he told Chinese officials.
Ban said China had an "opportunity to leapfrog over decades of traditional development based on high polluting fuels" and could "reap the rewards" of environment friendly economic growth in both its own society and the global marketplace.
"China can be a model not only for developing nations, but for the whole world," he said.
Ban has made climate change a priority for UN programmes this year.
"Without China, there can be no success this year on a new global climate framework," Ban said. "But with China, there is an enormous potential for the world to seal a deal in Copenhagen," he said.
