I am absolutely delighted to read that Esso is entering the debate following our launch of the national Esso boycott on December 1.

But Esso spokesman Gordon Sawyer needs to go back and read his own publicity.

He states in the article ( 'Fuelling the Green Issue' Times, December 6), that Friends of the Earth's allegations are untrue.

Let me repeat our 'allegations' in that article: Esso opposes the Kyoto Treaty, they deny that burning fuel causes global warming and they refuse to invest in renewable energy.

All three of these positions are clearly stated on Esso's own website.

He then goes on to claim that Esso is taking action on climate change.

Yes, they have improved the energy efficiency of many of their operations.

Even Mr Scrooge would be in favour of this it boosts profits.

And yes, they are investing in low emissions vehicle technology, but there is a catch.

The fuel cell is a great innovation which improves efficiency, and more importantly offers the prospect of a truly zero emissions vehicle, but only if the fuel cell is recharged using renewable energy.

Esso's investment is in an on-board petroleum reformer, which ensures that the fuel cell is recharged using petrol.

Put simply, they are hijacking the fuel cell and force feeding it with fossil fuels!

I continue to urge readers to boycott Esso until the company starts to take responsibility for its part in reducing climate change.

Bernard Burns

Chairman

Harrow Friends of the Earth