A Country with a Conscience

The Principality of Monaco, with its idyllic Côte d’Azur location, has a rich sporting and cultural legacy – from the F1 Grand Prix and Tennis Masters to Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo and the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic and Opera companies – and, for more than 150 years, a deep commitment to protecting the environment.

Long before ecological and environmental issues became world headlines and a cause célèbre, Monaco’s “Navigator Prince”, Albert I, sailed the globe’s oceans seeking ways to preserve them. More recently, Prince Rainier III ensured Monaco was at the forefront of environmental awareness and protection. During his 56-year reign, and alongside the Principality’s artistic and sporting evolution, Monaco became one of the most environmentally sensitive countries in Europe and one of the first nations to use reforestation to preserve its spectacular mountainous backdrop.

A State Determined to Set a Good Example

The Principality aspires to become a model state as far as environmental preservation and conservation are concerned. To this end, the Government, indeed, all of Monaco, are continuing to be actively involved in the issues which relate to sustainable development on a daily basis.

For more information about traveling to Monaco, please visit www.visitmonaco.com.

Environmental Activities

In Monaco a Bus Ticket Costs 1€

Since January 2007 the cost of a bus ticket has been just 1 euro. This public transport promotion has led to a 20 percent increase in bus passengers. All bus networks in the Alpes-Maritimes are expected to continue this initiative throughout 2010.

An Environmentally-Friendly Shuttle for Port Hercule

A noiseless, pleasant and speedy crossing on Monaco’s Harbor: the electric boat, which went into service in August 2007 has already attracted more than 26,000 passengers and continues to provide daily service.

Bikes Are on Track in Monaco!

• More than 50 “electrically assisted” bicycles (similar to a scooter) are available free of charge in public car parks.
• The Sunday “tous a velo” green trail and a permanent cycle path between the port and Larvotto are open for cyclists.

2020: The Principality of Monaco’s Energy Climate Plan

The Principality of Monaco’s Energy Climate Plan mobilizes local businesses, individuals and Government and aims to achieve the following goals by 2020:

• Reduce GhG (green house gas) emissions in the Principality by 20 percent from 1990 figures.
• Overall reduction in the Principality’s energy consumption.
• Instigate infrastructure to enable at least 20 percent of the Principality’s energy to be derived from renewable energy sources produced within Monegasque borders.

Seawater Heat Pumps: an Innovation Made in Monaco

Today 64 pumps produce 17 percent of the total energy consumed in the Principality.Use of this renewable energy saves the equivalent of 15,000 tons of petroleum annually.

Safeguarding Biodiversity: A Priority

The Bay of Monaco includes two protected areas – the Larvotto Reserve, created in 1976, with a surface area of 30 hectares, half of which is composed of a Posidonia bed; and the Spelugues submarine wall area, approx. 1.9 hectares, created in 1986, and which hosts, among other marine life, red coral, gorgonia and the diadem sea urchin.

Biodiversity: Brown Grouper Find Refuge in Monegasque Waters

A census of the grouper population carried out by the Department of the Environment recorded 83 specimens compared to only 12 in 1997: the result of an active policy in favor of the preservation of biodiversity.

Public and Private Green Spaces
As a result of political decisions over several decades, public and private green spaces in Monaco have gradually increased. In 1960, for example, the surface area maintained by the State amounted to 31,068.5596 miles – some 20 percent of the Principality’s surface area.

Green Hotels

The Environmental Charter of Monte-Carlo SBM

Monte-Carlo SBM has set up an action plan aiming to encourage eco-friendly conduct and to meet international goals in environmental matters. This plan features 23 measures covering the following areas: information and awareness, energy and water consumption, waste management, reduction of greenhouse gas emission, use of recycled paper and eco-friendly products, and the reduction of the use of pesticides, herbicides and fungicides in green areas. The implementation of the plan in all SBM hotels and restaurants is subject to annual evaluations. To learn about these measures of the SBM Environmental Charter, please check out: http://en.montecarloresort.com/Environmental-Charter.html.

Fairmont Monte Carlo is Offering a Guide for Green Meetings

The Eco-Meet program is offered by Fairmont at all its properties throughout North America and at the Fairmont Monte Carlo. Eco-Meet is a green meeting and conference planning alternative which helps planners by providing a meeting structure that encourages maximum waste diversion and environmental awareness for conference delegates. Eco-Meet consists of options that can be tailored to the individual needs of the client. They can meet their environmental goals while choosing how “green” they want to go. Eco-Meet provides meeting planners with “disposable-free” food and beverage services, meeting room recycling stations, edible/organic or reusable centerpieces and the option for purchasing energy/emissions offsets. Other eco-friendly offerings include energy-efficient lighting and water-conserving fixtures in guest rooms, and eco-cuisine that uses local, seasonal or organically grown foods in meals whenever possible. For details, please visit www.fairmont.com.

Hôtel Metropole Monte-Carlo Takes the Green Attitude

Hôtel Metropole Monte-Carlo believes that its own development should include the pursuit of a healthier way of life for guests and staff members. The hotel has formed a Green Committee composed of 20 staff members. The committee’s objective is to implement initiatives in key areas, such as recycling, energy and water saving, and consumption of green and fair trade products. Every new employee is expected to put into practice – daily – the Staff’s Environmental Charter. A “Green Advice” document is presented to clients and a Green Attitude logo has been designed and is put on all marketing and PR documents to underline the hotel’s commitment to environmental protection. A re-usable, chic yet practical shopping bag, Green Attitude by Metropole Monte-Carlo, is available for purchase at the Concierge desk. For more information, visit www.metropole.com.

Columbus Monaco, a Pioneer in Waste Sorting and Recycling

Columbus Monaco has a longstanding commitment to sustainable development in the area of waste management. In 2005, the hotel signed a partnership with SMA, a local company specializing in decontamination, for waste sorting and recycling. SMA invested 16,000 Euros in two waste compactors imported from Finland that the hotel leases for 400 Euros a month. The machines store paper and cardboard, which are then treated. Used printer cartridges are sent to charities supporting children’s care. A new system for breaking down fats, using an environmentally-friendly process, will soon be implemented. For more information, visit www.columbusmonaco.com.

Green Rooms at Le Méridien Beach Plaza

Le Méridien Beach Plaza is also following the green path. Among other initiatives, the hotel’s guest rooms offer its clients the option of keeping their linen for several days. Televisions are no longer turned on before guests’ arrival and low consumption light bulbs have replaced the energy inefficent ones. For more information, please visit www.lemeridien.com/montecarlo.