CHESTER ZOO has joined more than 400 organisations in expressing concerns over Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's 'watering down' of the Government's green commitments.

On Wednesday, September 20, the Prime Minister gave a speech in which he weakened a selection of pledges to help the UK reach net zero.

Among those were delaying the ban of petrol and diesel vehicles by five years to 2035, scrapping the requirement of energy efficiency upgrades to homes and putting back the ban on boilers relying on heating oil in off-grid homes from 2026 to 2035.

Taking questions afterwards, Mr Sunak insisted he is “absolutely not slowing down” efforts to combat climate change.

He added: "I am very proud of our country’s leadership. We have decarbonised faster than any other major economy in the G7, not a fact you hear reported that often.”

But the moves have attracted criticism from hundreds of organisations, who have all co-signed a letter to the PM.

Among the signatories is Jamie Christon, CEO of Chester Zoo.

The letter reads: "Dear Prime Minister,

"We are deeply concerned by media reports that you are considering weakening net zero policies related to insulating homes, rolling out clean heat and driving take up of electric vehicles.

"The business community has already made substantial investments in the net zero transition and made it clear that sticking to long-term net zero policies is crucial to build business confidence and mobilise investment.

"Watering down these policies would damage the UK’s credibility as a good place for green investment, undermining British competitiveness. We are already losing investment to the US and EU, and rowing back would make it worse.

"The Office for Budget Responsibility has recently highlighted the economic benefits of rapid action on net zero, and the increased fiscal and debt risks associated with delay. Smart policies to boost clean technologies like electric vehicles and efficient, low carbon heating and more support for the most vulnerable will lower the cost of living.

"Sticking with petrol cars and gas boilers increases it. Slowing down the development of clean tech leaves households exposed to volatile fossil fuel markets for longer and puts jobs at risk. It is also costly for the public purse, which spent £40 billion last winter subsidising household energy bills.

"We urge you not to weaken any net zero policies. If you do so, we believe this would be a historic mistake of your premiership, which could do lasting damage to the UK economy.

"It would also undermine the UK’s international climate leadership at a time when the disastrous effects of climate change are impacting the UK and rest of the world, including the recent flooding in Libya and forest fires in Greece.

"Now is not the time to delay in the face of the greatest threat facing the world. Now is the time for action."

The zoo added, in a post on social media: "Later this month we’ll be at the party conferences calling on MPs from all parties to live up to their promises for the environment.

"Future generations depend on it."

Mr Sunak added, in response to questions: "For those who disagree with me, and there are plenty of people as we can see over the last day or two, lots of people who disagree with me, the questions for them, they should explain to the country why they think it’s right that ordinary families up and down the country should have to fork out five, 10, £15,000 to make the transition earlier than is necessary.”