Rishi Sunak watering down climate pledges 'unforgiveable', says Humza Yousaf

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Humza Yousaf has slammed Rishi Sunak's plans to weaken his climate pledges as "unforgivable", according to reports.Tory leader Sunak, whose party faces a hammering at the next general election, is considering weakening plans on gas boilers and petrol cars.He is to roll back on phasing out gas boilers from 2035 and will delay the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by five years to 2035.Sunak is set to make a major speech on Wednesday afternoon.First Minister Yousaf is currently attending a climate week event in New York.He told BBC Scotland: "For me Rishi Sunak's actions, the UK government's actions, in the face of that climate catastrophe are simply unforgivable."Sunak has said that he is still committed to reaching net zero by 20150.But Yousaf said the Scottish Government's aim to reach net zero by 2045 would be at risk because of Sunak's proposed change in policy.He added: "What they are doing is sending a signal that is outside the global consensus that we have got to take more action on climate change."What the UK government are saying is that actually we can row back on our commitments and, I'm afraid, it is the planet, it is people that will suffer the effects."Sunak's change of plans has been criticised by politicians from all parties, car makers and energy companies.Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson was one of the many Tories to criticise Sunak.Sunak said he is watering down the net zero pledges to make sure they are “proportionate”.He confirmed he will make a speech this week to “set out an important long-term decision”, following the BBC reporting that he would row back on green targets. To sign up to the Daily Record Politics newsletter, click here.