The Guardian understands that the changes, expected to be announced in a speech on Friday, could include delaying a ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and slowing down the phasing out of gas boilers.
The prime minister is also expected to drop plans for new energy-efficiency targets for private rented homes after ministers considered imposing fines on landlords who failed to upgrade their properties.
A source with knowledge of the No 10 discussions said Sunak's plan to "reset the narrative" on net zero would delay some of the main targets, but he is not expected to abandon the overall ambition of reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
The plan was immediately condemned by senior Tories who argued that it would be the "greatest mistake of his premiership" and that watering down the targets could cost jobs, put up energy bills and damage the UK's international reputation.
Business groups also expressed dismay, with Emma Pinchbeck, the chief executive of Energy UK, saying that it was "not a great look for UK plc" and was at odds with what the sector had been told by ministers.
"I just came out of a meeting where a chunk of the British economy was assured by ministers that net zero was a top priority and that policy stability was crucial for investors. Now this," she said.
Many of the targets, such as banning the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030 to promote electric vehicles - which is believed to have been pushed back five years - have been cited by industry as crucial for growth in this sector in the UK.
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