I agree with T Fellingham (The Weekend Sun, June 2) that it is ridiculous for New Zealand to be owing billions of dollars under the Paris Climate Accord. However, the reason is clear: as a rather slow ‘fast-follower' our government is simply way off track to physically meet its agreed emissions targets.

How different it would have been if our government had had the guts decades ago to ignore the vociferous but ignorant climate change sceptics and follow scientific advice. By now we could have set the international standard, actually living up to our ‘clean, green' image by seriously investing in the research and development of renewable energy sources. This investment would now have been paying dividends, perhaps even earning overseas revenue. Instead, NZ is in danger of being branded a defaulting nation in the war against climate change, obliged to pay heavily for our excess emissions.

Even now the damage to our international reputation and economy could be reversed if our politicians can find the will to stop playing word games and start investing in a truly sustainable future. They need all the encouragement and incentive we can give them, especially in this election year.

P Otway, Omokoroa.