As another heatwave grips the UK and much of Europe, we need to look beyond the immediate discomfort of hot weather and ask why existing policies are failing to dent the relentless rise in the carbon concentration in the atmosphere. More wind farms and solar panels are not going to crack the problem.

Climate policy must be judged not by good intentions, but by its real-world costs, impacts and global effectiveness. Renewables alone cannot deliver cheap, secure and clean energy. The wider costs of electricity systems, storage, back-up power and networks also need to be taken into account. The UK’s choices need to be seen in the international context and compared with the energy strategies of major economies such as China, the US and those in Europe. No other country thinks relying on wind and solar plus a bit of nuclear is going to power a modern economy.

A broader mix of technologies, including nuclear power, and a willingness to confront the costs of pollution created by our own consumption are needed. Climate change is real, action is essential, but policy must be practical, affordable and effective if it is to make a meaningful difference. The UK fails on all counts.