Where to draw the line on renewable energy

The cost of the damage caused by fossil fuels has to be properly taken into account

Sir, In his article “Let’s cut these regressive wind and solar taxes” (July 27) Matt Ridley compared the United Nations Framework on Climate Change with the Council of Nicea. On the subject of Christian theology, I might refer him to the recent Papal Encyclical in which Pope Francis argued that climate change predictions “can no longer be met with irony or disdain”.

The vast majority of scientists agree that global warming is happening. As Amber Rudd, the energy secretary, has said, the argument should be about how to mitigate its consequences.

Government support for low-carbon technology offers as much to the UK’s industrial strategy as it does our energy strategy. It has delivered volume for cost-effective renewable technologies, driven down our emissions and