The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) chief has said Carbon Dioxide isn’t the main cause of climate change.

Scott Pruitt, told broadcaster CNBC that measuring human impact on the climate was “very challenging” and there was “tremendous disagreement” about the issue.

He said debate surrounding global warming needs to continue, despite these remarks contradicting the findings on greenhouse gas emissions from his own agency.

The EPA’s website states Carbon Dioxide is the primary contributor to recent climate change.

A vast majority of scientists believe climate change is driven almost entirely by increased Carbon Dioxide and other human made emissions in the atmosphere.

Mr Pruitt’s views are unlikely to have much direct impact on scientists in the field, as the EPA does not itself fund a great deal of climate research – however, many prominent voices suggest it could send the wrong signals to others in the scientific community.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is withdrawing its request for owners and operators in the oil and gas industry to provide information on equipment and emissions.