Environmental action: a key-player in sustainable development
At the instigation of H.S.H. Prince Albert II, the Government of Monaco promotes sustainable development in the Principality, by focusing its activities on respect for biodiversity, the preservation of resources, the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and a policy in favour of a sustainable city.
The environment, the preservation of biodiversity and the fight against climate change are the priority areas for action of H.S.H. the Sovereign Prince and his Government.
Every day the State Services, such as the Offices of the Environment, Urban Planning and International Cooperation, as well as many others, contribute towards implementing this policy as they carry out their public service activities.
These activities include the implementation of various international conventions and agreements ratified by the Principality, such as the Kyoto Protocol.
The policy in favour of sustainable development is based on four pillars:
Natural heritage management;
Implementation of an energy climate plan;
Action to promote a sustainable city;
Involvement of the Monegasque community.
In October 2010, the agency, BMJ Ratings, experts in extra-financial ratings in Europe, awarded the Principality an A+ for its overall good results and resolve concerning sustainable development.
At the 15th Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which took place in Copenhagen in December 2009, H.S.H. Prince Albert II made a commitment to reduce direct greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2020 compared to 1990, and by 80% by 2050, to become eventually carbon neutral.
Internationally, Monaco has made a commitment to protect the Polar Regions, which resulted in March 2009, under the aegis of UNESCO, in its hosting an international conference of experts on the theme of sustainable development and the challenges of climate change in the Arctic region.
The proceedings and recommendations from these discussions have been put together in a publication entitled “Climate Change and Sustainable Development in the Arctic”, the French version of which was presented to the UNESCO headquarters in April 2010.
In 2010, the Principality of Monaco brought together scientists, academics and politicians, offering a forum for exchange and high-level debates, which enabled headway to be made in finding solutions to address the major challenges posed by the impact of Man’s activity on the environment.
Two important events concerning ocean acidification were held in Monaco in November 2010, thanks to the contribution of several major institutional players in the Principality. The Oceanographic Institute - Albert I of Monaco Foundation and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation:
“The 2010 Ocean Acidification Reference User Group Meeting”, organised by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), with thirty or so prominent figures responsible for international research programmes on ocean acidification;
a scientific workshop, jointly organised by the Monaco Scientific Centre and the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) marine environment laboratory on the socio-economic impact of ocean acidification.
In March 2010 the first “Monaco Blue Initiative” was launched, dedicated to the oceans, the marine environment and marine science, the second session of which will take place on 13th and 14th February 2011 with the aim of promoting the development of marine protected areas.
Monaco houses the head offices of many international organisations of an environmental nature:
The IAEA’s Marine Environment Laboratories;
The International Hydrographic Bureau (IHB);
The Mediterranean Science Commission (CIESM);
The Secretariats of the RAMOGE agreement to combat pollution of the marine environment;
The Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans in the Black Sea, the Mediterranean and the Contiguous Atlantic Area (ACCOBAMS), of which the fourth meeting of the Parties was held in the Principality from 9th to 12th November 2010.
Further information:
Office of the Environment: www.gouv.mc
Prince Albert II Foundation: www.fpa2.com
The Oceanographic Institute: www.oceano.org
Monaco Scientific Centre: www.centrescientifique.mc
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA): www.iaea.org
Monaco Blue Initiative: www.fpa2.mc/fondation.asp?page=MBI
The International Hydrographic Bureau: www.gouv.mc
The Mediterranean Science Commission: www.ciesm.org
RAMOGE Agreement www.ramoge.org
ACCOBAMS: www.accobams.org
Download the environment brochure: brochure.pdf