That is why, in June 2006, the Sovereign Prince created the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation. Its mission is to identify and support high-priority, emblematic projects, to accelerate implementation and achieve tangible results all over the world with regard to the sustainable and equitable management of natural resources.

"I decided to create a Foundation dedicated to environmental protection and sustainable development (…). This is a global challenge that requires urgent, concrete action, in response to three major environmental issues: climate change, biodiversity and water."

H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco

The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation acts to protect the environment and promote sustainable development at a global level. The Foundation's activities are concentrated on three main areas: climate change and renewable energies, biodiversity, and water and desertification. The Foundation supports projects in three main geographical regions: the Mediterranean basin, the polar regions and the least-developed countries.

The Monaco Government Tourist and Convention Authority is working in cooperation with the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, notably in the "Monaco Carbon Offsetting" programme, to offer partners and clients the opportunity of offsetting greenhouse gas emissions related to their activities.

"Monaco Carbon Offsetting" is a voluntary, non-profit-making programme for reducing and offsetting greenhouse gas emissions. It is aimed at individuals, businesses, organisations and communities.

For more information : www.fpa2.com

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The creation of the Scientific Centre of Monaco (CSM) in 1960 was motivated by the wish of Prince Rainier III, Prince of Monaco, to provide the Principality of Monaco with the means to carry out oceanographic research and support governmental and international organizations responsible for the protection and conservation of marine life.

Since 1989, the CSM has specialized in studying the function of coralline ecosystems (tropical and Mediterranean) with regard to global climatic changes.

Photo Dr Éric Tambutté - CSM

Marine biomineralization and symbiosis, key biological processes of these ecosystems, are studied, at molecular and cellular levels of the organism, by two research teams with complementary expertise:
- a Physiology and Biochemistry team
- an Ecophysiology team.

Photo Dr Éric Tambutté - CSM

www.centrescientifique.mc

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It provides continuous measurements and enables pollution alerts to be prepared, as well as monitoring long-term changes in air quality.

This network consists of two different types of monitoring station: local monitoring and background monitoring. Local monitoring stations are situated close to sources of pollution (road traffic); background monitoring stations measure the general atmosphere and are situated away from significant sources of pollution.

The values recorded are compared with the limits set by relevant European directives. They are accessible to the general public in strategic places such as the "Nice-Matin" daily newspaper and on screens at the entrance to Monaco.

Source: Directorate of Environmental Affairs, Monaco

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In addition to this local monitoring, the Directorate of Environmental Affairs participates in the RINBIO (Réseau d’Intégrateurs Biologiques)(Network of Biological Integrators) campaign, organised every three years by the Rhone-Mediterranean and Corsica Water Agency and IFREMER (Institut Français pour la Recherche et l’Exploitation de la Mer)(French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea).

This study is based on the use of biological accumulators (moulds), which, by their presence and their demographic, morphological and physiological behaviours, characterise an environment and its evolution. This network offers the advantage of providing homogenous information on levels of contamination observed with regard to the Western Mediterranean (European Mytilos programme).

Finally, health monitoring of bathing water is also undertaken between the beginning of May and the end of September, with weekly sampling and analysis for each bathing site (the Plage des Pêcheurs, the Solarium and the Larvotto). A declaration of conformity is then prepared at the end of each bathing season. The readings are available to the general public at the monitoring station at the Larvotto beach, the "Nice-Matin" daily newspaper and on screens at the entrance to Monaco.

Source: Directorate of Environmental Affairs, Monaco

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Here are some of the concrete measures that have been implemented :

• The "A birth = a tree" reforestation programme,
• Quality management and ISO 9001 and 14001 certification,
• Awareness raising for the general public with monthly lecture-debates on ecology and the environment – the "Green Thursdays.",
• Gradual replacement of the vehicle fleet by clean vehicles, electric or hybrid,
• Free parking for electric vehicles.

www.monaco-mairie.mc/mairie-monaco/demarche-environnementale

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Since Monaco’s signature of the Kyoto Protocol in 1998 and ratified in 2006, the Principality is increasing its efforts in the field of environmental protection. It aims to reduce its CO² emissions by 8% before the end of 2012. By September 2011, a reduction of 15% had been achieved. The first actions taken by the Government to reduce these emissions have been in urban heating (representing about 31%), urban transportation (34%) as well as producing electricity for an entire district by burning house hold waste in the local incineration plant (30%).

In regards to this perspective, the Monegasque State, the Town Council, professionals in tourism sector as well as private companies increasingly channel their efforts to sustainable development. In order to follow the example of H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco, they committed themselves in different fields like deforestation, electric vehicles and its infrastructure, improved management of water and energy consumption, HQE constructions, and of course the organisation of Green Meetings and Green Events … while preserving the dream destination Monaco is.

They speak up:

Guillaume ROSE, Director of the Monaco Government Tourist and Convention Authority

« The Monaco Government Tourist and Convention Authority joins PlanetSolar’s adventure around the world with its commitment to clean and renewable transportation. Preserving our environment has to be the center of our today’s actions. That is the reason why the Monaco Government Tourist and Convention Authority has decided to take part in this expedition of renewable and non polluting energy to prove that, by using innovative materials and existing technologies, high quality performances are feasible.

HE Bernard Fautrier, Vice-president of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation

The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation is associated with the PlanetSolar expedition because it illustrates the value of solar energy, a renewable, clean source with an unlimited supply on a human scale. It now constitutes a concrete alternative to fossil fuels, where the limited resources and negative impact on the environment and health constitute one of the biggest challenges of this century for our planet. During stopovers, the crew on PlanetSolar will be helping raise awareness among local people about the new possibilities for using it in the transport sector as well as producing energy for our daily needs, all while respecting the environment. PlanetSolar’s mission to raise awareness is in line with all the Foundation’s objectives in the field of climate change and energy.”

Axel Hoppenot, Sales and Marketing Director for the Monte-Carlo SBM

“In sponsoring PlanetSolar alongside the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, the Société des Bains de Mer is aligning itself with a major initiative that combines state-of-the-art technology and environmental protection, particularly that of the sea which we hold so dear. This support is part of its 'Be Green' project which is working on over 30 concrete measures in the interests of sustainable development. The Monte-Carlo SBM Group is therefore demonstrating its commitment to one of the major issues of our time.”

Bernard d’Alessandri, Secretary General of the Yacht Club de Monaco

“The sea has always held an irresistible attraction for Man. It intrigues us as much as it commands our respect. The spirit of adventure, thirst for discovery and Man’s curiosity through the ages has always gained the upper hand and led us on to build crazy boats to enable us to sail further. A veritable laboratory when it comes to experimentation, the Principality of Monaco has always supported pioneering projects which are at the service of the sea and our planet. As part of our activities to raise awareness about preserving our environment, the Yacht Club de Monaco through its La Belle Classe label encourages any innovative initiative that increases public awareness and promotes sustainable development technology.”

www.planetsolar.org

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Since this date the hotels in Monaco have created working groups - Green Team - to educate staff, implement a plan of energy, water consumption, of recyclage…. Find their actions by visiting their pages of information.

The hotels :

Convention Centre :

The Grimaldi Forum, born eco-responsible, architects have developed plans of the Grimaldi Forum were from the outset in their specifications the key to environmental concept. ISO 14001 certification is the pioneer in Europe.

The Monaco Government Tourist and Convention Authority and the Grimaldi Forum Monaco unite at the sides of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation against deforestation... read more

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