Former US Vice President Al Gore said he is “puzzled” by the UK’s renewable energy policies.

At the ‘Beyond Paris’ conference in London this morning, he criticised the government’s recent announcements to cut green subsidies.

He said: “This country’s commitment to zero carbon homes has been cancelled, this country’s commitment to zero carbon buildings has been cancelled, the Green Deal has been cancelled, the Climate Change Levy exemption for zero carbon energy has been cancelled, solar and support via the Renewables Obligation has been cancelled.

“Onshore wind support via the Renewables Obligation has been cancelled, the Renewables Obligation on Contracts for Difference gone, public ownership of the Green Investment Bank has been privatised, the announcement has been made. The prevention of fracking in carefully protected areas has been reversed, Feed-in Tariffs reduced by 87%, I am puzzled.”

Al Gore added he was concerned about the government’s lack of action towards tackling climate change in the last few months.

He said: “I was personally invited by your Prime Minister before he was your Prime Minister to come and meet all the ministers of the parliament in his party. And I heard pledges and commitments that really inspired me and I was grateful and encouraged and hopeful. And I’ve heard some speeches since then that have re-awakened the kindling of that same hope. I know that there will be a speech next week – words. What about actions?”

He added he feels “positive” ahead of the COP21 in Paris in December that “this time it will succeed”.

Al Gore believes the world can change towards reducing carbon emissions, adding: “We can prevent the catastrophic consequences.”