Former PM Tony Abbott says climate change is good in speech to London sceptics

Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott has caused the biggest stir yet in his climate change crusade after a provocative speech in London.

Mr Abbott told a group of climate sceptics that global warming is doing more good than harm – even claiming that fewer people die in heatwaves than in cold snaps.

"Climate change itself is probably doing good; or at least, more good than harm,” he said to a group that included leading climate change sceptic and former UK Chancellor Nigel Lawson.

Mr Lawson has labelled evidence of climate change in the past as “madness” and “wicked”.

Mr Abbott likened people pushing for action against climate change to “primitive people who once killed goats to appease the volcano gods”.

The former PM said the solution to Australia’s energy crisis was not more renewable energy and backed a government-built coal-fired power station.

However, he did support the government’s decision not to proceed with a clean energy target.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull wouldn’t comment on Mr Abbott’s views on climate change.

Opposition leader Bill Shorten said the PM’s silence indicated Mr Abbott was “still calling the shots”.

“Turnbull's just simply too weak to take him on,” he said.

The speech comes as the government’s alternative plan was approved by cabinet on Tuesday.

Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg hopes to put it to the party room as early as next week.