Month: December 2018

As part of its policy of reducing pollution by plastic, the Monaco Government decided to prohibit, as from 1st January, 2019, straws and plastic mixing sticks. Consumers are encouraged to substitute, for example, those made of bamboo or metal.

In 2016, this process of reducing plastics began with the ban on single-use plastic bags for packing goods. The “compatible ecology” bags must be composed of biobased materials in a gradually increasing percentage, to reach 60% in 2025.

Marie-Pierre GRAMAGLIA, Councilor of Government-Minister of Equipment, Environment and Urbanism, said, “The reduction of plastic waste is a major stake for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) since they represent about 11% of tonnages and 80% of GHG emissions from their incineration.

“Plastic is also responsible for 75% of the pollution of the seas and oceans in the form of microparticles harmful to biodiversity. This is a major issue for the preservation of marine biodiversity.”

Since 2014, the Environment Department has undertaken a “Committed Commerce” initiative to promote eco-responsible practices among producers, traders and consumers in the Principality. This Label now has 67 stores spread across all neighborhoods.

In 2019, the Department of the Environment will launch the label “Restaurant engaged”. Specifically, it will target restaurants and takeaway establishments, which will include assistance with the removal of single-use plastic utensils and packaging.

Valérie DAVENET, Director of the Environment emphasizes that “this free and personalized support is offered to the establishments that wish it”.

The label highlights the good practices already undertaken by many restaurateurs in the Principality of Monaco.

The reduction of plastics but also the fight against food waste are at the heart of this approach.

This ban on plastics will extend from 1 January 2020 to cotton buds, plates, cups, glasses and disposable cutlery.

The Monegasque Red Cross is launching its first project in crowdfunding on the online platform Monaco Crowdfunding.

Since 2011, the Burkinabè and Monegasque Red Cross have been working together on a project for children at work or at risk of early migration in Burkina Faso.

In line with this programme, the Monegasque Red Cross wishes to allow drilling to provide access to drinking water and improve the living conditions of the 2,225 inhabitants of the village of Lemka by the end 2019.

Everyone can participate by visiting the platform Monaco Crowdfunding – project Drinking water for all.

Donor certificate signed by SAS the Sovereign, President of the Monegasque Red Cross, at breakfast with the entire project team, passing by the memory of Burkina Faso or the “drop”, symbol of the project, which can be silver, gold or platinum. Different counterparties are offered, depending on the amount of the contribution.

These donations will not only provide for drilling, but also for a whole sustainable community water management mechanism.

Note, the duration of this project is limited, it is open to contributions until January 9.

Direct link: https://www.monacocrowdfunding.com/en/croixrougemonegasque

An agreement was signed at the Ministry of State by the representatives of the Monaco Bus Company Management and the Union of the Bus Company of Monaco.

This concludes negotiations that started in July with three weeks of strike action by CAM staff.

At the initiative of the union, the parties implemented a joint commission of “settlement of different collective orders” chaired by a representative of the Administration and composed of three representatives of the Directorate as well as three representatives of the personnel, in accordance with the collective agreement of the CAM.

“The role of the Administration was to facilitate the dialogue between the management and the union” says Cyril Gomez, Director General of the Department of Equipment, Environment and Urbanism, who chaired the Joint Commission. He adds, “This work, which concludes today with the signing of an agreement, has made it possible to find solutions that can align Management’s proposals with some of the demands expressed by the staff of the CAM.”

After seven meetings of the Joint Committee, between 22 August and 20 November, the two parties agreed on a number of points, including the planning of bus drivers, the organisation of weekends and the premium off-beat meal.

The palm trees of the French Riviera are in danger of withering thanks to a pervasive invasive beetle.

The French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (ANSES) announced on Wednesday that it is too late to save the trees from the pest.

“It is now impossible to eradicate the red palm weevil on the southern coast [of France],” an agency report concluded.

Larvae of the weevil came to France in a consignment of ornamental palms from Egypt several years ago.

Despite scientists trying to kill off the weevils with chemical treatmments, a fungus and predatory worms, the beetles continued to multiply and burrow into the trees.

A consultant for the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation, said that ANSES was “owning up to failure [in the south] because of a lack of organisation”.

Nice Côte d’Azur Airport is getting into the Christmas spirit with a series of events in its terminals. Look out for these when you visit.

A dream of a Christmas

The shops offer all the gift ideas and a selection of products to enjoy a dream of a Christmas. If you are travelling soon, you can enter the game in the departures terminal and win €3,500 worth of gifts.

Otherwise, you can try your luck up to 24 December and win a selection of gifts on offer from the shops.

Grown-ups and kids will be carried away by the magic of Christmas in the terminals.

Look out for a forest of Christmas trees, a Christmas hut, wandering musicians, free sweet treats and photos with Father Christmas!

Have your picture taken with Father Christmas from 9am to 1pm and from 2pm to 5pm in the following locations.

21 and 23 December

• Terminal 1 in the morning
• Terminal 2 in the afternoon

22 December

• Terminal 2 in the morning
• Terminal 1 in the afternoon

Street musicians will be playing in the arrivals and departures lounges in both terminals.

A festive shuttle service

On 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24 December, the Terminal 1>Terminal 2 shuttles will be decked out in Christmas colours.

Hostesses will be handing out sweets and chocolate Father Christmases from 11am to 3pm.

The Charter on the use and virtuous management of timber is part of the “Monaco commits against deforestation” operation, initiated in 2011 and the result of a partnership between the Prince’s Government, the Prince Albert Foundation II of Monaco, the MC2D association and the IMEDD.

This Charter is subject to an annual evaluation.

In 2017, 40 companies participated in this study and confirmed the renewal of their commitment to the Charter and their commitments. This individual assessment allows the signatory to take stock of his situation and define improvement objectives.

Signatories and new members had the opportunity to share their experiences at a cocktail party held at the Novotel Hotel on Tuesday, December 18, 2018, during which “The Forest Trust” held a conference on wood certification.

Among the results, 98% of companies consider the Wood Charter useful for integrating the theme of the fight against deforestation into their policies of Corporate Social Responsibility.

The breakdown of consumption is made on paper (100% of the companies concerned), furniture (58%) and wood or wood products (60%).

From the point of view of their activities, the Wood Charter helps companies in particular to better manage their waste (83%) and to work with suppliers from sectors offering them certified products (78%).

Companies also mention that the Wood Charter benefits from a very good perception among customers (100%) and employees (85%). In 2017, most of them gave priority to in-house training on the themes of paper, furniture and wood.

The Wood Charter and membership documents are available on the websites of the Prince’s Government, the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and IMEDD.

For more information :

• Prince’s Government
• Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation
• MC2D
• IMEDD