STEPHEN Flynn has written to Rishi Sunak accusing the Prime Minister of “throwing in the towel” on net zero promises.
The SNP’s Westminster leader said the “disgraceful decision” would be felt hardest in Scotland.
He said he would call on the PM to reconsider his decision but that “I know you won’t”.
It comes as Rishi Sunak prepares to deliver a speech in Downing Street on Wednesday afternoon after attracting criticism for watering down on climate change commitments.
The PM (below) has been slammed by Tories and opposition parties alike with the Home Secretary having to defend Sunak on Wednesday morning.
Flynn’s letter said: “There is a global race to a net zero future, and you’ve just thrown in the towel.
“Your clear intention to renege on the promises made to citizens and businesses on achieving green growth and green jobs, puts at risk both our climate obligations and our economic future.
“Your predecessors in office were very successful in making a mess of the present – you seem intent on making a mess of all our futures.”
Sunak had been due to make his speech later this week but a leak of the net zero plans to the BBC appears to have persuaded Downing Street to bring the announcement forward.
In a statement, Sunak said his plans would not be derailed by a “leak”, claiming politicians “of all stripes have not been honest about costs and trade-offs” associated with net zero.
He accused previous Tory governments of taking “the easy way out, saying we can have it all”.
Flynn’s letter went on to say that Scotland had “the energy, the people and the ambition to compete in the global race to net zero” but that Westminster control was holding back the “massive potential”.
“For many in Scotland, this will inevitably feel like history repeating itself. Westminster stole Scotland’s energy past, now it wants to sabotage our energy future.”
Some of the measures being considered include delaying the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars currently due in 2030 and weakening the plan to phase out gas boilers by 2035.
The letter continued: "All the evidence tells us that we can protect and create jobs in Scotland by ensuring that we get the energy transition right, but your Westminster government now doesn't even seem to want to have a transition, just a cliff edge.
"The clearest outcome from your intention to drop out of the global race to net-zero is that both the US and the EU will easily beat the UK in this green gold rush.
"With both the Inflation Reduction Act and the European Green Deal, they know where the economic growth of the future will come from, and they are heavily investing in it. They will secure the jobs, the technology, the energy security, and the economic growth that will flow from quickly transitioning to green energy.
"Backwards Britain will be left behind."
As well as those from within politics, big business has also been critical of Sunak with Ford UK chairwoman Lisa Brankin saying it needed "ambition, commitment and consistency" from the UK Government.
Flynn (above) added: "During my time at Westminster, I have often repeated the phrase that "Scotland has the energy, it just needs the powers". That feels very true today. Your decision shows the catastrophic consequences of that reality.
"I feel obligated to urge you to reconsider your decision but, in reality, I know you won't. However, for people in Scotland, this damaging decision is yet one more reason to reconsider the damaging consequences of remaining under Westminster control.
"It's time that Scotland had the power to choose a different path with the powers of independence."
