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THE GUARDIAN |
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Queen backs
fight on global warming
Owen
Bowcott Amid reports that she castigated the prime minister for failing to persuade the White House to shift its stance on the Kyoto protocol, it was revealed yesterday that Windsor Castle is to instal environmentally friendly hydro-electric turbines on the Thames. The move does not represent an ideological departure; the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Edinburgh are committed conservationists. But the timing suggests an eagerness to position the monarchy at the forefront of what is becoming a popular, global concern. The conference to be held in Berlin on Wednesday is chaired by Klaus Topfer, Germany's former environment minister who runs the UN's environment programme, Unep. The monarch's attendance at a reception for the conference, which is debating the sensitive international topic, is likely to send a strong message around the globe. During the visit, the Queen is also expected to join the German chancellor, Gerhard Schröder, at a forum for young people to voice their concerns about global warming and how best to combat it. Downing Street yesterday refused to confirm or deny reports that the Queen had urged Tony Blair to put pressure on George Bush to sign up to international treaties limiting the production of greenhouse gases. "We have never divulged the details of private conversations between the Queen and the prime minister," a spokesman said. The environmental group Friends of the Earth welcomed her involvement in climate change issues. "She's helping to up the profile of this meeting in Berlin," said the organisation's executive director, Tony Juniper. "That's very important in the run-up to the G8 summit." The installation of two hydro-electric turbines at Romney weir on the Thames is only the latest in a number of initiatives backed by the royal family. The energy-efficient project, expected to cost around £900,000, will be funded by Npower Renewables and could be in operation by next year. Green lines The Queen's green credentials include: · Both Bentleys acquired at the Royal Jubilee have been converted to run on eco-friendly fuel LPG - liquified petroleum gas · Prince Philip's taxi also runs on LPG. The Queen's Rolls Royce uses either petrol or LPG · Lighting at Buckingham Palace relies on energy-efficient electric bulbs with a longer lifespan · Water turbines will soon provide hydro-electric power to Windsor Castle
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