DAVID CAMERON is to abandon plans for “green” taxes amid fears of a backlash from voters unhappy about having to pay for climate change.

A leaked policy paper commissioned by the Tory leader warns that action on the environment is too often seen in terms of “consumer sacrifice”.

Instead the document urges Cameron to copy the more positive “can do” strategy of Arnold Schwarzenegger, the California governor, who has invested huge sums in businesses developing green technologies.

Cameron has faced controversy for floating plans to increase tax on air travel, polluting cars and food packaging.

He was last week accused of hypocrisy by taking a winter sun break in South Africa after earlier urging people to holiday in the UK.

The Conservative leader has also been criticised over the wind turbine erected on the roof of his Notting Hill home.

The leaked paper, written by Greg Barker, the Conservative environment spokesman, admits that Cameron’s green stunts have proved unpopular.

“From a wind turbine on DC’s new house to the controversy over low-cost airlines, to the endless green lifestyle newspaper supplements, the emphasis is usually seen through the prism of the individual.

“Solutions are often perceived to involve higher costs, more tax or some form of consumer sacrifice . . . too much of the burden and not enough of the opportunities are being placed on consumers.”

The Tory document calls for Britain to adopt tough new targets, cutting green emissions by 80% by 2050.

Labour policy is for more modest cuts of 60% in that period.

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