Cuts in support for renewable energy in the UK have been criticized by the UN's chief environment scientist.
Professor Jacquie McGlade said the UK was shifting away from clean energy as the rest of the world rushed towards it.
She said the cuts in renewables subsidies, coupled with tax breaks for oil and gas, sent a worrying signal to the coming UN climate summit in Paris.
The UK government says it will meet its targets on carbon emissions in the most cost-effective way.
A spokesman said it was "absolutely committed to getting a global deal in Paris".
Professor McGlade said the UK appeared to have abandoned its leadership on climate change, while 150 other nations were making unprecedented pledges to shift towards clean energy.
The UK government has promised to reset its energy policies shortly, to explain how it will meet carbon targets while offering fewer subsidies to renewables, following a £1.5bn overspend on the notional budget for clean energy.
Ministers say they have to force energy bills down. They want new solar and wind projects to be built without subsidy, although the industry says that is impossible at the moment.
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