Queen's plea to go green

The Queen yesterday urged the Commonwealth's members to lead the world in responding to global climate change, just days after it had been accused of imperial irrelevancy.

British-led plans for a $10 billion fund to help poorer countries tackle climate change emerged at the Commonwealth Heads of Government (Chogm) summit in the Caribbean nation of Trinidad and Tobago.

The 83-year-old Queen addressed Chogm in the Port of Spain yesterday morning.

Last night, New Zealand Prime Minister John Key proposed the toast to the Queen at dinner, saying the leaders acknowledged the important role she had played "in maintaining and shaping our organisation", which met in a collective spirit to face the challenges of the times.

The Queen said the timing of the gathering was crucial as it was taking place days before the December 7 United Nations climate change summit in Copenhagen, Denmark.

"The Commonwealth can be proud of the fact that in each of its six decades it has shaped the international response to emerging global challenges," said Queen Elizabeth, with representatives of most of the 53 Commonwealth members sitting behind her.

"On this, the eve of the UN Copenhagen summit on climate change, the Commonwealth has an opportunity to lead once more. The threat to our environment is not a new concern, but it is now a global challenge which will continue to affect the security and stability of millions for years to come.

"Many of those affected are among the most vulnerable, and many of the people least well able to withstand the effects of climate change live in the Commonwealth."

Chogm has come under attack in recent days. A report from the British-based Royal Commonwealth Society questioned the relevancy of the summit, held every two years.

But yesterday French President Nicolas Sarkozy headed a list of international heavyweights gatecrashing the summit. Sarkozy's presence gave the meeting an unprecedented level of international interest.

He urged all leaders to attend the climate change talks in Copenhagen, and spoke positively about British Prime Minister Gordon Brown's proposal for support for developing countries - $10 billion a year for at least three years.

Sarkozy wants 20 per cent of that money earmarked for combating deforestation. Assistance to developing countries was always on the agenda for Copenhagen but this is the first time that figure has been used.

New Zealand has not yet considered its position on assistance and would expect it to be considered alongside its proposal for a global alliance on agriculture emissions research.

Key said Sarkozy's address to Commonwealth leaders was "very impassioned. He may have been on the ground only for an hour or two but he made the most of it."

Sarkozy spelled out how significant he thought the issue was, how important Copenhagen was and how important it was to accept the challenge facing the world.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, head of the UN climate talks Yvo de Boer and Danish Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen also attended Chogm. Rasmussen said he had received 85 acceptances from the 192 countries invited to attend. Key has said he probably won't go but has not ruled it out.

- ADDITIONAL REPORTING: AAP