On Thursday, David Cameron announced the Conservatives had been the "greenest government ever" - the same week an EU ban on "bee-killing" pesticides was lifted, green energy subsidies were slashed, and a scheme to make homes more energy efficient was axed.
It's perhaps unsurprising the Green Party has come out guns blazing against the Tories, with its MP Caroline Lucas accusing Cameron of taking a "wrecking ball" to the green sector.
Meanwhile environmentalists have called government the "greyest ever", following environment secretary Amber Rudd's defence of axing subsidies in favour of profits.
It seems the Tories' administration may not be as "green" as Cameron would like..
Cameron's 'green' government might not be so green
Cameron rejects calls for a fracking ban - and pledges his support(01 of10)
The PM renewed his backing for shale gas exploration, despite calls for a ban on the practice.
Critics of fracking say it risks health and environmental impacts. A recent environment audit committee report called for a moratorium on fracking, saying it is "inconsistent" with the UK's stated climate change targets - despite Cameron saying it would help deliver the targets.
Anti-fracking signs in the village of Little Plumpton, Lancashire, as county councillors have rejected plans to frack for shale gas in Lancashire. (credit:Peter Byrne/PA Wire)
Critics of fracking say it risks health and environmental impacts. A recent environment audit committee report called for a moratorium on fracking, saying it is "inconsistent" with the UK's stated climate change targets - despite Cameron saying it would help deliver the targets.
Anti-fracking signs in the village of Little Plumpton, Lancashire, as county councillors have rejected plans to frack for shale gas in Lancashire. (credit:Peter Byrne/PA Wire)
Lifting the EU ban on 'bee-killing' pesticides(02 of10)
The government announced late on Wednesday an EU ban on neonicotinoid pesticides would be temporarily lifted, despite evidence suggesting they are responsible for bee decline, and a 500,000-strong petition against the move. (credit:Neil Squires/PA Wire)
George Osborne cutting budgets at the Department of Energy and Climate Change(03 of10)
In his summer budget, George Osborne told the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) it would have to find £70m in savings over the next year.
As a result, energy efficiency subsidies are shouldering a majority of the burden, bearing £40m of the savings. (credit:Yui Mok/PA Wire)
As a result, energy efficiency subsidies are shouldering a majority of the burden, bearing £40m of the savings. (credit:Yui Mok/PA Wire)
Scrapping the Green Deal Finance Company(04 of10)
The Department of Energy and Climate Change revealed on Thursday it was scrapping the Green Deal Finance Company, which provided loans for people to insulate their properties.
Although the scheme was accused of not going far enough, the news it has been scrapped was widely criticised; the DECC was slammed for not announcing a replacement, and Cameron was brought to task for saying the scheme was scrapped "to protect taxpayers". (credit:Johnnie Pakington via Getty Images)
Although the scheme was accused of not going far enough, the news it has been scrapped was widely criticised; the DECC was slammed for not announcing a replacement, and Cameron was brought to task for saying the scheme was scrapped "to protect taxpayers". (credit:Johnnie Pakington via Getty Images)
Slashing solar power subsidies(05 of10)
Amber Rudd announced the government is slashing subsidies paid to households which have installed solar panels.
Under current rules, households can make up to £740 a year by selling the solar electricity to the national grid.
Rudd says the move is intended to reduce emissions in the "most cost-effective way".
The decision has been slammed as "hugely short-sighted", and has come as a blow to renewable energy companies. (credit:Blend Images - Don Mason via Getty Images)
Under current rules, households can make up to £740 a year by selling the solar electricity to the national grid.
Rudd says the move is intended to reduce emissions in the "most cost-effective way".
The decision has been slammed as "hugely short-sighted", and has come as a blow to renewable energy companies. (credit:Blend Images - Don Mason via Getty Images)
Cancelling plans to build onshore wind farms(06 of10)
Wind farms are the second renewable energy source to take a hit from the government, as plans to build 250 onshore wind farms look set to be cancelled, thanks to a premature end to subsidies.
Rudd said the decision to exclude any new wind farms from the current subsidy scheme a year earlier than expected meant 2,500 turbines would not be built.
A view of turbines at Whitelee Windfarm in East Renfrewshire, the UK's largest onshore wind farm. (credit:Danny Lawson/PA Wire)
Rudd said the decision to exclude any new wind farms from the current subsidy scheme a year earlier than expected meant 2,500 turbines would not be built.
A view of turbines at Whitelee Windfarm in East Renfrewshire, the UK's largest onshore wind farm. (credit:Danny Lawson/PA Wire)
Canning requirements for new homes to be zero carbon(07 of10)
Osborne has scrapped requirements for new homes to be zero carbon by 2016, saying it would be too expensive to deliver.
However, designers at Cardiff University say they have built a house (se picture) which exports more power to the national grid than it uses, while not exceeding the average budget for social housing. (credit:BASF)
However, designers at Cardiff University say they have built a house (se picture) which exports more power to the national grid than it uses, while not exceeding the average budget for social housing. (credit:BASF)
Osborne's tax on green energy(08 of10)
The chancellor announced he would be raising taxes for renewable energy, as well as changing the Climate Change Levy (CCL), a tax businesses pay on their energy use.
From August, the government will remove the exemption businesses currently enjoy for using green energy.
The Marine Current Turbine's SeaGen tidal energy converter, in Strangford Lough, the world's first operating, commercial-scale tidal stream turbine. (credit:Paul Faith/PA Archive)
From August, the government will remove the exemption businesses currently enjoy for using green energy.
The Marine Current Turbine's SeaGen tidal energy converter, in Strangford Lough, the world's first operating, commercial-scale tidal stream turbine. (credit:Paul Faith/PA Archive)
Meanwhile, more fiscal help is provided for North Sea oil fields.(09 of10)
In response to economic difficulties facing the UK's oil and gas sector, Osborne announced Petroleum Revenue Tax (PRT) would be cut from 50% to 35% to support continued production in older oil fields.
The supplementary charge for oil companies was also slashed from 30% to 20%.
An oil rig in the North Sea. (credit:Danny Lawson/PA Wire)
The supplementary charge for oil companies was also slashed from 30% to 20%.
An oil rig in the North Sea. (credit:Danny Lawson/PA Wire)
Removing tax breaks for clean cars(10 of10)
In his summer budget, Osborne also removed tax breaks for green cars, such as the Nissan Leaf (pictured), which runs on electricity.
The Prince of Wales is shown a cutaway Nissan Leaf during his visit to the Nissan UKant in Sunderland. (credit:Owen Humphreys/PA Archive)
The Prince of Wales is shown a cutaway Nissan Leaf during his visit to the Nissan UKant in Sunderland. (credit:Owen Humphreys/PA Archive)