Boris Johnson appears to have abandoned any hope the planet can be saved from climate chaos.

The Henley MP, who only recently said it was "a very good thing we should be green", seemed to suffer a crisis of confidence when asked to name the personal steps he had taken to help combat global warming.

Responding to a survey of MPs by travel guide company Rough Guides, the Tory spokesman for higher education said: "I have to admit I'm baffled. According to scientist James Lovelock, the problem is already so bad there is nothing we can do."

But despite Mr Johnson's nay-saying, he is due to meet three hundred pupils at Berinsfield Community Primary School on November 24 for the official launch of the school's new micro wind turbine. The 15m high turbine should reduce the school's fuel bills by up to £1,200 a year and also cut down on carbon emissions.

Mr Johnson's characteristically off-message verdict risks embarrassing his boss, Tory leader and Witney MP David Cameron, whose own response to the survey included a plea for everyone to "do their bit".

Mr Cameron, who has placed an enthusiasm for environmental issues at the heart of his mission to rebrand the Conservatives as a more caring party, is already known for his fondness for cycling.

He told Rough Guides he was adapting his West London house to be "more energy efficient" using roof-top solar panels. He recycles and composts waste - both in London and at his constituency home near Chipping Norton.

Mr Cameron said: "I am taking the steps we can all take to make a difference - like trying not to overfill the kettle and buying energy-saving lightbulbs.

"We are all in this together and every one of us must do our bit."

Andrew Smith, Labour MP for Oxford East, said: "I have changed to a more energy efficient condensing boiler, recycle, use more energy efficient lightbulbs, take my bike instead of the car, and have switched phone lines to the Phone Co-op, which offsets its carbon footprint."

Tony Baldry, Tory MP for Banbury, said: "I have fitted a condensing boiler and I try to ensure the thermostat is set at a sensible level, although because of the age of my house, it is not possible to have wall insulation or double-glazing."

Evan Harris, Liberal Democrat MP for Oxford West and Abingdon, said: "I support the Friends of the Earth Big Ask lobby on climate change and use public transport whenever possible."

Ed Vaizey, Tory MP for Wantage, said he used low energy lightbulbs and had carried out an energy and water audit to identify what improvements he could make to reduce his impact on the environment. In total, 318 of the UK's 646 MPs responded to the survey, to promote the Rough Guide to Climate Change.