EU pushes for increased environmental action

The European Union’s Environmental Council met this week to formulate solid action plans ahead of the COP27 on Climate Change negotiations as well as the December COP15 conference on biodiversity.  

The challenges facing the world in terms of protecting nature and limiting the effects of climate change are being brought to the fore by the EU’s Environmental Council.  

Following a meeting held on Tuesday 25th October, the council came away with solid negotiating mandates to be used during the COP27 next month in Sharm-El-Sheikh, Egypt, as well as at the COP15 conference, which will be hosted by Montréal in December.  

“The climate and biodiversity crises are intimately related, and we cannot tackle one without addressing the other,” said the executive vice-president for the European Green Deal, Frans Timmermans. “Setting targets is not enough: we need to move from ambition to action. With yesterday’s mandates, the Commission now has a solid basis for the final negotiations in Sharm- el-Sheikh and in Montréal.” 

At COP27, the EU will set out a scheme that includes adoption of the Mitigation Work Programme, which aims to end inefficient fossil fuel subsidies, phase down coal, reduce methane emissions and align targets with the 1.5°C goal.  

The EU is already implementing these policies through internal legislative work, and says it stands ready to increase its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) if appropriate, in line with the outcome of the ongoing ‘Fit for 55′ negotiations.  

Protected status for 30% of land and 30% of oceans by 2030

The EU’s aims at COP15 are to be leaders of the charge to officially protect 30% of land and 30% of oceans by 2030, and to follow up on EC President Ursula von der Leyen’s pledge to double the amount of external financing for biodiversity available to the world’s most vulnerable nations.  

EU Member States are currently the world’s single largest contributors to climate financing and they will take the opportunity of the two conferences to push other nations to step up their involvement, with the goal of reaching $100 billion for the cause by next year.  

“Our health, our wellbeing, our climate, our economy – they all depend on nature,” Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries Virginijus Sinkevičius said. “We cannot waste time any more in losing biodiversity. We have to act now and I am glad that ministers from around the EU have united themselves and agreed on a common vision for our future and that of the planet.” 

 

 

Photo source: Guy Bowden for Unsplash

Monaco Red Cross unites with Women’s Rights Committee

The Monaco Red Cross has joined the Committee for the Promotion and Protection of Women’s Rights.

The 74-year-old institution, founded by Louis II, Prince of Monaco, recently had its first meeting with the Committee. It was organised by the ministry of state and aimed to identify the themes with which the Monaco Red Cross could be associated.

The committee to promote and safeguard women’s rights was created in Monaco in October 2018 by Sovereign Ordinance to coordinate, implement and evaluate national policies to promote gender equality and combat violence and discrimination against women.

 

Photo above from left to right: Yann Bertrand, Administrative Director of the Monegasque Red Cross, Bettina Ragazzoni Janin, General Treasurer of the Monegasque Red Cross, Isabelle Berro-Amadéï, President of the Committee for the promotion and protection of the rights of women, Céline Cottalorda, Interministerial Delegate for Women’s Rights and Théo Campana, Committee for the Promotion and Protection of Women’s Rights, credit:  Manuel Vitali, Government Communication Department

 

 

 

Players and fans unite for first time at new performance centre

For the first time since its construction, supporters of AS Monaco were welcomed at the new performance centre in La Turbie for an open training session on Tuesday.

The event was the first to take place at the club’s recently inaugurated, state-of-the-art complex. Monaco held an open training at the Stade Louis II last May, ahead of the final game of the season against RC Lens, but there was a clamour amongst fans to visit the new centre and watch their idols train up close.

Less than two months after the inauguration, and the fans got their wish. A little under 300 fans attended the event, which allowed fans to witness one of Philippe Clement’s training sessions up close.

Photo of AS Monaco open training at the club’s performance centre by Monaco Life.

The session was followed by a signing session, with the players greeting those who so fervently support the club’s colours.

“It is nice to have them here,” began Monaco defender Axel Disasi. “The centre was made for this, to create a union with the fans. I spoke with Benoît [Badiashile] to see if we’d done an event like this before, and he told me it was the first time here. We’ve benefitted from it and so have the fans. It makes some nice images, and it gives us a smile after the defeat (4-3 against Lille on Sunday).”

Manager Clement added, “We have wanted to do something with them [the fans]. When I see all the happy faces, including my players, who have taken energy from this, that’s what is important. It’s always important to have a connection with the supporters.”

The Belgian coach will be hoping that the energy imparted from the exercise will propel them to success, as they chase after a vital victory against Ferencváros, in Hungary on Thursday.

 

Photo by Monaco Life

Premier League highlights: Liverpool stunned, Manchester City close in on Arsenal

Nottingham Forest earned a shock win over Liverpool, whilst a draw for Arsenal allowed Manchester City to close the gap at the top. Monaco Life reviews the recent Premier League action. 

Arsenal 1-1 Southampton – Granit Xhaka’s opener was canceled out by a Stuart Armstrong equaliser in the second half. Having dropped two valuable points, Mikel Arteta’s side relinquished their four-point lead, allowing rivals Manchester City to close in.

Chelsea 1-1 Manchester United – The home side looked to have clinched a late winner when Jorginho converted a penalty. But there was time for another twist in the tale. Casemiro’s header late in injury time salvaged a point for the Red Devils. Chelsea remain ahead of their opponents on the night by just one point.

Wolverhampton Wanderers 0-4 Leicester City – Leicester have looked sluggish so far this season, but they turned up on the big occasion. They put four past their local rivals to move out of the relegation zone. Former AS Monaco midfielder Youri Tielemans got on the scoreline during the drubbing.

Aston Villa 4-0 Brentford – There were four goals at another match in the Midlands. Managerless Villa were out of sight within 15 minutes thanks to goals from Leon Bailey and a brace from Danny Ings. Ollie Watkins completed the scoring on the hour mark. The wins moves them clear of the relegation zone.

Leeds United 2-3 Fulham – Whilst Villa have moved to a position of relative safety, Leeds have slipped into further trouble. Despite Rodrigo giving the Yorkshire side the lead in the first half, Leeds lost out in a match that sees Fulham rise to seventh – an incredible position given they were one of the favourites for relegation.

Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 Newcastle United – Despite a Harry Kane finish in the second-half, Tottenham couldn’t salvage a point against Newcastle. The visitors took the lead thanks to Callum Wilson before Miguel Almirón doubled the score. Eddie Howe’s side move into the top four, and look a genuine candidate for the European places.

Manchester City 3-1 Brighton & Hove Albion – Erling Haaland once again did the damage, netting a brace before half-time. Leandro Trossard pulled one back after the break, but Pep Guardiola’s men had too much for their opponents, and Kevin De Bruyne’s finish meant City could see out the final minutes in serenity.

Everton 3-0 Crystal Palace – Both sides remain in mid-table despite a one-sided affair at Goodison Park. Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Anthony Gordon and Dwight McNeil got the goals for Frank Lampard’s side.

Nottingham Forest 1-0 Liverpool – Nottingham Forest remain rock-bottom of the Premier League despite a shock win against Jürgen Klopp’s side. Taiwo Awoniyi scored the only goal of the game, as Liverpool failed to build on last week’s positive result against Manchester City.

West Ham 2-0 Bournemouth – David Moyes’ side secured the three points in Monday night’s fixture. Kurt Zouma and Saïd Benrahma got the goals. West Ham remain mid-table.