The EU has not been shy at trumpeting its plans to drastically reduce carbon emissions across Europe. One leading figure, however, remains distinctly unimpressed.

Nigel Lawson, who was the Chancellor of the Exchequer between 1983 and 1989, is one of a growing number of sceptics who believes that the headlong rush to a low carbon economy is likely to cause irreparable harm to businesses across Europe, and this week he’s publishing his feelings on the subject.

An Appeal to Reason: A Cool Look at Global Warming, is unlikely to find its way onto Al Gore’s birthday wish list, but Lord Lawson clearly believes that he has something worthwhile to say and won’t wait any longer to say it.

“Over the past five years I have become increasingly concerned at the scaremongering of the climate alarmists, which has led the governments of Europe to commit themselves to a drastic reduction in carbon emissions, regardless of the economic cost of doing so,” he tells readers – painting a picture almost as cataclysmic as the one so eloquently punted by those who believe that the world is on the verge of the climatic equivalent of a mental breakdown.

Lord Lawson, who was never renowned for his sentimentality whilst in office next door to Mrs Thatcher, goes on to say that although man has undoubtedly played a part in the temperature rises seen in the recent past, the full reasons behind global warming remain unclear.

He gives short shrift to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, labelling their estimates “grossly inflated”, and even claiming that the benefits of warming could balance the costs.

His major fear though, is that the recent moves by the European Union, including the possible implementation of trade barriers against those who go against their emission cuts plans, will do far more damage than climate change ever could.

“A lurch into protectionism, and the rolling back of globalisation, would do far more damage to the world economy in general and to the developing nations in particular than could conceivably result from the projected resumption of global warming,” he warns.

According to Lord Lawson, the book itself is “short” – the debate will run well after the final page has been turned.