Prince launches new initiative in Copenhagen

Prince Albert II has been in Copenhagen all week

Entitled the “Monaco blue initiative” it is due to be launched in March in partnership with the Oceanographic Museum, and focuses on endangered species and safeguarding fragile marine ecosystems. The Principality is already spearheading a European campaign to protect the blue fin tuna and is supported by all the restaurants in Monaco which do not serve this fish.

The Prince is taking part in events organised in collaboration with partners of his eponymous Foundation (Fondation Prince Albert II). On Monday the 14th he spoke at an Oceans’ Day meeting of experts on climate change in which he stressed the importance of everyone changing their methods of production and consumption.

Other events included a meeting to firm up funds for the Congo basin forests where a partnership agreement was signed with his Foundation. Another is also due to be signed with the Climate group to fund technical innovations to combat climate change.

In a round table discussion on electric vehicles, the Prince highlighted his country’s commitment to a “zero emission” policy, just days after Monaco signed to take ten Smart fortwo electric drive vehicles for use in the public sector.

On a general note, Monaco is committed to reducing its greenhouse emissions by 20% for 2020 compared to 1990, and to extend that to 60% by 2050. A “Plan Energie climat” has been drawn up to tackle the issue on all fronts in terms of energy use and efficiency, particularly with regards to establishing a statistical base of where most energy is being wasted, and practical solutions to develop renewable sources. CL