The flip side of Monaco to the glitzy casinos and the annual Formula 1 race that speeds through Monaco’s freshly paved streets – is it’s concern and care for a sustainable planet. If you visit Monaco today, it will be clear that Monaco has become a sustainability leader.
At a time when we’re very aware of the climate crisis – acknowledging that glaciers are moving as much as 90 feet a day (100 times the usual speed), the need for climate action is quite evident. And Monaco has stepped up to the plate to educate and connect like-minded scientists, investors, activists and normal people who care about our planet to drive the necessary change to reach Net-Zero. Before it is too late.
Monaco is the second-smallest country in the world (the Vatican is the smallest). With a clear focus, led by Prince Albert II of Monaco, Monaco’s sovereign prince, it is emerging as a leader in planet preservation.
Acknowledging that major change was necessary with the growing climate crisis, Prince Albert launched the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation in 2006 to combat climate change, preserve biodiversity, and conserve water resources.
The monarch committed to reducing the principality’s carbon emissions in half by 2030, and is aiming to become carbon neutral by 2050.
“Monaco is an incubator of sustainable solutions. We’re a laboratory for innovative ideas in sustainable development which can be fully expressed here before being scaled-up,” says Olivier Wenden, VP and CEO of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.
To reach this target, Monaco expanded public transportation options to include electric buses, taxis and shuttle boats. An electric bike sharing program, the MonaBike was launched encouraging tourists and locals to bike around Monaco. There are 300 electric bikes and 35 bike stations. Monabikes cost just one euro per trip and are used 1,200 times a day.
Alternative approaches have been developed with a focus on sustainability, aiming to reduce waste by converting garbage into fuel and treating water before it enters the Mediterranean. As part of the The Monaco Clean Beaches campaign initiative, approximately 8,000 ashtrays have been placed on beaches to combat cigarette litter.
Additionally, Monaco has taken significant environmental steps, including the establishment of two marine protected areas and the implementation of 3D-printed artificial reefs. Efforts are also underway to protect species such as the vulnerable Mediterranean Monk Seal.
Monaco has set a determined objective to eliminate all disposable plastic waste by the year 2030. Notably, the country has already taken significant steps in this direction. In 2016, single-use plastic bags were prohibited, followed by the ban on straws in 2019, and subsequently plates, cups, glass and cutlery in 2020.
Monaco also cleverly utilizes its sun-soaked rooftops and sunlit areas. A lovely example is the Terre de Monaco initiative, an organic urban rooftop farming project initiated in 2010 to make the most of these spaces.
Elsa, the world’s first 100% organic Michelin-starred restaurant, is in Monaco, located in the Monte-Carlo Beach resort. “Elsa is a philosophy, a way of life. Respecting nature, respecting your body, eating healthy, and enjoying it! This is the well-being we aspire to,” says Dimitri de Andolenko, who leads the sustainability projects at the resort . “Elsa respects the environment by favoring local purchases, using green electricity, and limited paper consumption.”
Monte-Carlo Beach and Monte-Carlo Bay have achieved the esteemed Green Globe Gold certification in recognition of their commitment to sustainability. At Monte-Carlo Beach, efforts include a designated preservation area to protect local bird species, while Monte-Carlo Bay collaborates with the Prince Albert II Foundation to safeguard the natural environment for a native Mediterranean seahorse species.
Over the past five years, Monte-Carlo Bay has been successfully powered by solar panels. Impressively, more than 88% of Monaco’s hotels hold internationally recognized green certifications from third-party organizations. Notably, Méridien Beach Plaza, Columbus Monte-Carlo, and Métropole Monte-Carlo are all proud members of the Green Key program.
In the coming years, there’s an exciting development on the horizon: the Mareterra eco-district, set to launch in 2025. This upcoming community is designed with a strong focus on the environment. It will feature exclusive apartments and villas, lush public parks, a marina complemented by a scenic walkway along the waterfront, and of course, convenient e-bike stations.
“Moving forward, a greener path is full of promises and opportunities—and worth it,” Wenden says.
