The UK Government has set a commitment to take action on climate change while keeping energy bills down for consumers.

Energy and Climate Change Secretary Amber Rudd said failing to act would be bad for the economy and risk leading to lower growth, fewer jobs and higher prices.

Speaking to business leaders in London today, she added the government will take action “in a way that keeps consumer bills down and encourages businesses to innovate, grow and create more jobs so it does not come at the expense of prosperity”.

Ms Rudd said: “Climate action is about security, plain and simple – economic security.

“The economic impact of unchecked climate change would be profound. Lower growth, higher prices, a lower quality of life. So I see climate action as a vital safety net for our families and business. Protecting our homes, our livelihoods and our prosperity. It is the ultimate insurance policy.

“The bottom line is this – if we are acting on climate change to preserve our economic prosperity, we have to make sure that climate change action is pro-growth and pro-business.”

She added support from government should help technologies “eventually stand on their own two feet, not encourage permanent reliance on subsidy”.

Friends of the Earth however believes the government’s credibility on tackling climate change “is hanging in tatters”.

Chief Executive Craig Bennett said: “Amber Rudd appears to have been wheeled out to say a few warm words on tackling climate change as window dressing for a vicious Treasury assault on the environment.

“This government will be judged on action not words – and far from being one of the greenest governments ever, it seems set to be one of the greyest.”

Ms Rudd’s speech follows plans to reduce support for solar and biomass and scrap subsidies for onshore wind.

Yesterday the government also announced it would stop funding the Green Deal, its flagship energy efficiency scheme.