Lisa Nandy, shadow energy secretary and Labour MP for Wigan:

“It's been clear for years that Britain's coal stations are so old and so polluting they would need to close over the next decade. Now we need to build new, cleaner power stations to take their place. Yet this government's chopping and changing of energy policy is putting off the investment we urgently need to secure our power supplies.”

Natalie Bennett, Green Party leader:

Simon Bullock, senior energy campaigner at Friends of the Earth:

“Amber Rudd is certainly taking UK energy policy in a new direction: unfortunately it’s backwards to the 20th century. Phasing out coal – if that’s what’s being suggested – is essential for the climate. But switching from coal to gas is like an alcoholic switching from two bottles of whisky a day to two bottles of port.The UK Government’s ongoing addiction to fossil fuels sends a terrible signal to crucial Paris climate talks, starting in a fortnight.”

Paul Barwell, chief executive at the Solar Trade Association:

“Phasing out coal power electricity is of course good news and was expected – this is an essential move. However it makes little sense to replace fossil coal only with fossil gas. Gas and large-scale solar will soon need very similar levels of support, but unlike gas solar has the bonus of zero carbon emissions, future price certainty and no dependency on imports from unstable countries. Solar has grown from providing 0% to the current 2% of UK electricity supply within just the last five years, and could get to 5% by 2020 with very little extra support. There is plenty of room to include solar alongside gas and nuclear in the coal phase out.”

Rhian Kelly, environment director at the CBI:

“With recent changes in energy policy, it’s vital the Government gives investors clarity on the direction of travel. The Secretary of State’s announcement is an encouraging sign that the Government is looking at ways to bolster our long-term energy future. As we move away from relying on coal for our energy supply, it’s important the right signals are in place for investors to build new gas-fired power stations – at present, they are hard to find. A smooth transition from coal to gas is critical, so we must ensure we have new capacity before we take coal out of the energy mix. Getting this right should deliver a successful energy policy that works for consumers, businesses and investors.”

Ed Davey, former energy secretary and Liberal Democrat MP:

Martin Campbell, co-founder and joint-MD at Abundance:

“Amber Rudd has yet to prove she has a grip on energy policy.  Her 'retro' reset is a pitch for the bad old days of gas price boom and bust which is bad for energy bills and will end up costing hard working families more, not less, in energy subsidies in the long run.  Why is she ignoring the fact that renewable energy has a proven track record of cost reduction and provides security against the fluctuations of oil and gas prices which drive inflation and damage our economy? And the fact that renewable energy can be rolled out far faster and for far less than building new gas plants? Rudd’s revival of the 'dash for gas' suggests she is a fan of the 1990'; “don't look back in anger” will be an appropriate refrain to her backbenchers when their constituents face red energy bills in 2020.”

Nigel Labram, pension strategist at Low Carbon:

“Improving the UK’s overall energy mix is imperative if we are to reach a low carbon economy in the UK, and indeed if we are to attract  long term investment into UK renewables. The government must take action to create a positive investment climate for institutional investors looking to divest from fossil fuels and to reinvest in climate change solutions, and must do more to position the UK’s energy industry as modern, clean and secure.”

Doug Parr, Greenpeace UK chief scientist:

Al Gore, former US vice president and climate change campaigner:

“The decision by Prime Minister David Cameron to phase out the United Kingdom’s unabated coal power stations by 2025 sets an excellent and inspiring precedent as we head into COP21. With this announcement, the UK is demonstrating the type of leadership that nations around the world must take in order to craft a successful agreement in Paris and solve the climate crisis. The UK has become the first major economy to set a clear date to phase out coal, and I am hopeful that others will follow suit as we repower the global economy with the clean energy we need for a sustainable future.”

Jennifer Baxter, head of energy and environment at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers:

“Although today’s announcement provides some clarity for investors, there is still no clear roadmap for how the UK will meet its ambitious carbon reduction targets especially leading up to United Nations meeting on Climate Change (COP21) in December. The cheapest options for energy still remain the options that produce carbon emissions, like gas. The unfortunate reality is that by reducing spending, due to public sector cuts, it is likely to mean increasing emissions. We cannot allow the market alone to drive energy options, following this path means that we could end up with the worst case scenario in terms of pollution.”

Gregory Barker, former energy secretary and BPVA chairman:

James Court, head of policy and external affairs at the Renewable Energy Association:

“Amber Rudd has yet again stated she wants to de-carbonise in the most cost-effective way, but her actions through supporting higher cost technologies, such as nuclear, at the expense of more cost-effective renewables such as onshore wind, solar and biomass, means consumers will be paying more. We need government intervention to build any new energy infrastructure the UK needs, but the announcements today will mean subsidising too much fossil fuel, for too long. This speech gives no comfort to companies and investors wanting to bring down costs for renewable technologies, and leaves the whole renewable heat industry in limbo as they still wait to find out if RHI has a future.”

Greenpeace UK:

Michael Brune, executive director at the US Sierra Club:

“The United Kingdom’s commitment to get off coal completely is historic, unprecedented, and provides a major boost of momentum and leadership toward an international climate agreement just weeks before the world meets in December. This watershed moment in the United Kingdom, the home of the industrial revolution, demonstrates that moving beyond coal completely in the United States, and around the world, is not just possible but is actually inevitable.”

Richard Benwell, communications director at Westmill Solar Coop: