Despite the fact Donald Trump once famously called climate change a “hoax” which was “invented by the Chinese” and pledged to pull the US out of the Paris climate agreement, in recent weeks it seemed that the President-elect might be softening his stance somewhat. However, with Scott Pruitt, a leading climate change denier and fossil fuel industry ally, recently selected to head the Environmental Protection Agency, most remnants of wilful optimism have been wiped out.

The only silver lining for environmentalists may be the fact Mr Trump had a meeting with Leonardo DiCaprio after news broke Pruitt was expected to be announced as his choice. In their meeting, the billionaire property tycoon and the Hollywood actor, who is a fervent campaigner for fighting climate change, discussed how jobs centred on preserving the environment can boost the economy.

Terry Tamminen, the CEO of the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, said they had a 90-minute meeting at Trump Tower in New York. In a statement to the Associated Press, Tamminen said the pair gave a presentation to Mr Trump, his daughter Ivanka, and other members of Trump’s team on how concentrating on renewable, clean energy could generate millions of jobs.

“Today, we presented the President-elect and his advisors with a framework - which LDF developed in consultation with leading voices in the fields of economics and environmentalism - that details how to unleash a major economic revival across the United States that is centered on investments in sustainable infrastructure,” Tamminen said.

President Donald Trump life in pictures Show all 16 1 /16 President Donald Trump life in pictures President Donald Trump life in pictures Donald Trump poses in a rocking chair once used by President John F. Kennedy at his New York City residence Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Developer Donald Trump with his new bride Marla Maples after their wedding at the Plaza hotel in New York Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Donald Trump and Celina Midelfart watch the match between Conchita Martinez and Amanda Coetzer during U.S. Open. She was the date whom Donald Trump was with when he met his current wife Melania at a party in 1996 Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas serving as the grand marshal for the Daytona 500, speaks to Donald Trump and Melania Knauss on the starting grid at the Daytona International Speedwa Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Developer Donald Trump talks with his former wife Ivana Trump during the men's final at the U.S. Open Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Donald Trump and his friend Melania Knauss pose for photographers as they arrive at the New York premiere of Star Wars Episode : 'The Phantom Menace,' Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Billionaire real estate developer Donald Trump talks with host Larry King. Trump told King that he was moving toward a possible bid for the United States presidency with the formation of a presidential exploratory committee Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Donald Trump answers questions as Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura looks on in Brooklyn Park. Trump said on Friday he 'very well might' make a run for president under the Reform Party banner but had not made a final decision Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Billionaire Donald Trump makes a face at a friend as he sits next to Panamanian President Mireya Moscoso before the start of the 2003 Miss Universe pageant in Panama City Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Entrepreneur Donald Trump is greeted by a Marilyn Monroe character look-a-alike, as he arrives at Universal Studios Hollywood to attend the an open casting call for his NBC television network reality series 'The Apprentice.' Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Donald Trump and Simon Cowell present an Emmy during the 56th annual Primetime Emmy Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Donald Trump and Megan Mullally perform at the 57th annual Primetime Emmy Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Donald Trump, poses with his children, son Donald Trump, Jr., and daughters Tiffany and Ivanka Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Billionaire Donald Trump told Miss USA 2006 Tara Conner on Tuesday she would be given a second chance after reported misbehavior Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Donald Trump holds a replica of his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame as his wife Melania holds their son Barron in Los Angeles Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures U.S. property mogul Donald Trump stands next to a bagpiper during a media event on the sand dunes of the Menie estate, the site for Trump's proposed golf resort, near Aberdeen, north east Scotland Reuters

“Our conversation focused on how to create millions of secure, American jobs in the construction and operation of commercial and residential clean, renewable energy generation.”

After their discussion on “green jobs”, the Oscar-award-winning actor gave the President-elect a copy of his documentary Before the Flood and Mr Trump is reported to have promised to watch it.

DiCaprio co-produced and featured in the 90-minute documentary on climate change directed by Martin Scorsese which stars Barack Obama, Elon Musk, Ban Ki-Moon, and Pope Francis.

A day before the election, DiCaprio took a covert dig at Mr Trump at the Hollywood Film Awards. He urged the electorate to vote for a candidate who believes in climate change. “Let's all use our power as citizens to do the right thing,” DiCaprio told the audience. “Please vote this Tuesday 8 November and vote for people who believe in the science of climate change.”

The appointment of Pruitt to head the Environmental Protection agency has raised alarm bells among environmental groups. He is a climate change denier and said the science behind it was “subject to considerable debate”. On top of this, he has also called the EPA’s rule “unlawful and overreaching” and pushed back against Barack Obama’s agenda on climate change.

Mr Trump's own track record on climate change is far from progressive. He has previously pledged to withdraw the US from the Paris climate deal, resuscitate the coal industry and expand oil and gas drilling. Despite the fact he previously called climate change a “hoax”, he later insisted the comment was intended as a joke.