Rishi Sunak has come under fire from environmentalists, business leaders, international allies and his own MPs after watering down several key climate pledges.
Former US vice president Al Gore and the car giant Ford were among the biggest critics of the prime minister's new"pragmatic" approach to cutting emissions in a day of high political drama.
Mr Sunak insisted he was taking a"more pragmatic, proportionate and realistic approach that eases the burdens on families" and claimed other politicians were not being honest about the cost of green policies on individuals. However, he was accused of peddling a"false argument" with critics saying clean energy will make bills cheaper and boost jobs and investment.
Chris Norbury, the chief executive of the E.ON energy firm, said"there is no 'green vs cheap' debate" and Mr Sunak's U-turns will"delay the vital work of transforming our economy".