The federal government is committing an extra $7 million to back UN environmental programs over the next four years.

That's double the current level.

Almost $6 million of the new money will flow over four years to the agency that monitors the UN's environmental programs and projects.

David Anderson

Another $1.5 million will be spent over three years on the UN's freshwater program based in Burlington, Ont.

Federal Environment Minister David Anderson made the announcement on Thursday at the UN's World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg.

But rather than receiving compliments for the move, Anderson was assailed by reporters, armed with a new poll by the environmental group, Greenpeace.

The survey of 2,007 Canadian adults reported that 63 per cent believe Canada should apologize to the conference for failing to meet commitments to cut greenhouse gases made a decade ago.

The poll conducted by Decima Research, is accurate to within 2.2 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

Anderson reacted angrily. "I'm too old to waste my time on dumb questions," he said. He then went on to criticize the media.

"I can't persuade the Canadian public if you people won't provide the information to them."

Canada is the first country to commit money to the projects, and that's good news because it turns words into actions, said UN Environment Programme executive director Klaus Toepfer.

That has become one of the themes of the meeting, which is discussing ways business and governments can increase prosperity in the developing world, while protecting the environment.

For example, there is a public-private partnership proposal to eliminate lead and cut sulphur levels in diesel fuel.

That will allow for tougher emissions controls, which in turn will improve health.

The group includes gas and auto companies, activist groups, UN organizations and government bodies.

The meeting is dealing with preliminary issues so world leaders can concentrate on the big picture over the weekend.

About 95 per cent of the preliminary work has been done, officials said.