Environment Minister Nick Smith says cutting what he calls "touchy feely" green projects is all about priorities.
The Government is axing three green programmes and scaling back two others as part of restructuring.
More than a quarter of the ministry's staff will have to apply for new jobs, while 18 positions will go altogether.
Dr Smith told Morning Report the money that would have been spent on the programmes, including a carbon neutral public sector programme, can be better spent elsewhere.
