Ed Davey said the comments made by Paterson in a speech to the climate sceptic think tank Global Warming Policy Foundation were “reckless in the extreme” and said his former cabinet colleague “doesn’t seem to understand very much about energy policy”.
Paterson called for the suspension of the Climate Change Act – which he voted to in favour of in 2008.
Alongside this, the former environment secretary also called for a “common sense” energy policy to support the development of UK shale gas resources; large scale, localised combined heat and power plants; small modular nuclear reactors; and “rational” demand side management.
He said this would be an affordable way of rapidly reducing carbon emissions, ensuring security of supply, and ensuring energy remains affordable.
He added: “What’s stopping this programme? Simply, the 2050 target is.”
Paterson also highlighted accused the last three energy secretaries – Ed Miliband, Chris Huhne, and Davey – of “merrily presiding over the single most regressive policy we have seen in this country since the Sheriff of Nottingham” and pursuing renewable generation – such as wind power – that pay huge subsidies to “rich landowners”.