Mr Brown has previously called for the UK to increase its nuclear power capacity as an alternative to burning fossil fuels, which many experts believe to be a cause of climate change.

BBC: Nuclear list 'not yet finalised'

The emissions licensing regime, shortening the lifespan of coal-burning power stations, has already begun to take big lumps out of capacity.

BBC: Energy: flicking the dimmer switch

Every year China is building power-generating capacity almost equivalent to Britain's entire stock, almost all of it burning coal the dirtiest fuel.

ECONOMIST: Climate change