Queen tells Commonwealth: Rich nations must help poor in tackling global warming

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Rich countries need to do more to fight climate change because the worst-affected communities are often too poor to make the necessary changes, the Queen will say today.

She will use her annual message to the 53 countries in the Commonwealth to warn that environmental issues, such as the lack of clean water, could lead to future conflicts.

Her words are particularly aimed at the young, whom she says are leading the battle to save the planet.

However, there are doubts that her message will have as much impact as royal aides wish.

A survey for Saga magazine yesterday revealed that half of those aged 16 to 24 do not even know the Queen is head of the Commonwealth - compared with just one out of ten over-50s.

The monarch will say: "Awareness of environmental issues is now widespread, with a determination that future generations should enjoy clean air, sufficient fresh water and energy without risking damage to the planet.

"The impact of pollution falls unequally: it is often those who pollute the least - notably in the world's least-developed nations - who are closest to the razor's edge: most affected by the impact of climate change and least equipped to cope with it."

The Queen's environmental message will form part of the Commonwealth Observance at Westminster Abbey today.

She will talk about last year's meeting of the Commonwealth's heads of government on the edge of Lake Victoria in Uganda, where they agreed to work together on climate change.

"It was an appropriate place to do so," the Queen will say. "From there, the waters of the River Nile begin a three-month journey to the Mediterranean.

"A single incident of pollution upstream may affect the lives of countless numbers downstream."

She will add: "The example of the Nile illustrates many of the challenges facing the global environment.

"The competition for fresh water by a growing population is itself becoming a source of potential conflict."