The energy secretary is entitled to say that tackling climate change shouldn't just be the preserve of environmentalists and anti-capitalists. There may well be a benefit in claiming the issue back from the 'left wing' perspective Amber Rudd believes has begun to dominate the debate.

Were voices from across the political spectrum more prominent in calling for change, it might make it harder for climate change deniers to flourish.

There is much else in what Ms Rudd has been saying about global warming which is hard to disagree with, too. Unchecked climate change is threat to growth, quality of life and the economy as a whole, she argues. The best way to deliver the low carbon economy is by using free markets and competition to help develop new green technologies, make them cheaper, and show other businesses the benefits of a low carbon economy.

The problem is this is simply all talk. There is no evidence that the rhetoric will be backed up by policy. David Cameron insists he lived up to his 2010 pledge to lead the 'greenest government ever'. But even in coalition with the green-leaning Liberal democrats, this was never true and since being returned with a parliamentary majority, the Conservatives have ploughed up swathes of green policy.

In recent months, the Treasury has wiped out onshore wind subsidies, cut subsidy for solar developments, attacked the energy efficiency budget, scrapped an obligation for new homes to be zero carbon by 2016 and watered down incentives to purchase energy-efficient cars. Taxes on green energy are to rise and Ms Rudd recently announced a U-turn on fracking in areas of special scientific interest.

This spectacular assault on green policy gives the lie to anything she says about supporting a shift to a low-carbon economy.

The attack on wind-farm subsidies is particularly worrying, because 70% of the developments planned which the cash would have supported are north of the border and form a key part of the Scottish Government's plans for the country's future energy needs.

The UK Government says it is not attempting to block onshore wind farms, and believes they can thrive without subsidy. But the policy appears driven at least in part by the unpopularity of developments in parts of the south east of England.

There are critics of windfarms in Scotland too, of course, and concerns about the visual impact of turbines. But regardless of the individual's point of view, wind power has an important part to play in Scotland's future energy mix. Amending planning controls so communities can be more involved in decisions would be preferable to devastating the industry.

While there may be a case for reining in subsidies, which have been oversubscribed, there is a real danger the pendulum will swing too far.

With important global talks on climate change due in Paris, the UK Government's position is hopelessly inconsistent and by effectively increasing taxes on clean energy while cutting taxes on use of fossil fuels, it is not reclaiming ground from the environmental movement's left wing. Instead it is confirming its every fear.