The UK’s biggest climate problem is that the US and most non-Western countries – the source of about 85% of CO₂ emissions and home to 86% of humanity – don’t regard emission reduction as a priority, focusing instead on economic development, poverty elimination and energy security. As a result, global emissions are increasing and are set to continue to increase for the foreseeable future whatever the UK (the source of only 0.7% of global emissions) may or may not do. It therefore makes absolutely no sense for Britain to continue its pursuit of the unachievable and disastrous net zero policy. The neo-colonial suggestion that we should be leading the world or setting an example is simply embarrassing.

Britain’s energy policy, the basis of our economic survival, requires a fresh start. We need to establish an optimum course in a world where we’re rapidly losing influence, where greenhouse gas emissions will continue to rise and where our trying to prevent that from happening is futile. Instead therefore we should abandon net zero and similar policies – necessitating the repeal or radical amendment of the 2008 Climate Change Act – and come to terms with international political reality by: (a) prioritising a strong and growing economy, underpinned by reliable, affordable energy; (b) encouraging research into the development of technologies for delivering practicable, reliable and affordable low emission energy; and (c) focusing on adaptation to whatever climate change may occur.

Abandoning net zero would have immediate practical advantages. It would lift the terrifying threat of electricity blackouts – a threat to thousands of businesses and in particular to the well-being of hundreds of thousands of people, especially the poor and vulnerable. It would mean getting rid of many current – and avoiding future – ‘green’ levies and subsidies. It would enable people and businesses to continue to drive vehicles powered by the increasingly efficient and clean internal combustion engine. It would mean millions of households and businesses could retain their current gas heating appliances. It would mean we could continue to rely on the commercial aviation and shipping businesses that underpin our international trade and on the many other machines and products essential to our lives and well-being that require the combustion of fossil fuels or are made from oil derivatives. It would mean reducing many other ‘green’ pressures on industry and commerce – keeping costs down and improving productivity and employment. It would ensure that we didn’t increase our already dangerous dependence on China any further. Overall it would be a huge boost national confidence and bring about a sense of freedom sadly lacking over recent years.

A concluding thought. All the above advantages of abandoning net zero are clear and obvious. And the disadvantages? There are none. Even if we face a ‘climate emergency’ – I suspect we don’t, but if we do – Britain’s pursuit of net zero cannot help us avoid it.