Lights out, air-con off: Monaco government announces new plan to save energy

23/07/2023

Businesses in Monaco must now turn off the lights overnight and set a 25°C limit to air conditioning as the government attempts to reduce the Principality’s energy consumption.

As part of its energy management plan and bolstered by public support for the measures taken last winter, the Prince’s Government announced on the weekend that it adopted two new ministerial decrees on 21^st July on public and private lighting and on the use of air conditioning, which will be in force until 30^th October 2023.

With regards to llighting, the facades, shop windows, storefronts and illuminated signs of stores and professional spaces must now be switched off from midnight to 5am, unless they are open or active during these hours.

This also concerns the interior lights, including that produced by screens.

Buildings and public spaces must have the lighting turned off between 11pm and 5am.

New law targets air conditioning

Meanwhile, the use of air conditioning in public premises and large establishments is being regulated and set at 25°C, with some exceptions.

Stores and professional spaces that don’t fall into these categories are asked to initiate plans to control energy consumption, utilising the recommendations made under the national pact for energy transition, and also set an air-conditioning temperature of 25°C with an amplitude of 1°C.

“Adapted to summer schedules and needs, these measures pursue the objective of reducing visual pollution and electricity consumption, while respecting the living environment,” said the government in a statement.

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Photo by Monaco Life

Formula One: Red Bull make history as Max Verstappen wins in Hungary, Charles Leclerc struggles

by: Luke Entwistle

23/07/2023

Charles Leclerc at the Hungarian Grand Prix

Red Bull made history in Sunday’s Hungarian Grand Prix, winning a 12th consecutive race thanks to Max Verstappen, who drove serenely to take the chequered flag. Charles Leclerc’s aspirations of a considerable points haul were dashed in the pits.

Untouchable. No one has come close to Red Bull this season. The constructor was on the precipice of history going into Sunday’s Grand Prix at the Hungaroring, and whilst Lewis Hamilton gave Red Bull a scare on Saturday, putting his Mercedes on pole, Verstappen was unchallenged in the race.

It quickly became evident that Hamilton’s lap on Saturday was merely a flash in the pan. Verstappen made the pass down the inside going into turn one, allowing the McLarens of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri to leapfrog the Brit, who lacked pace on a scorching day in Hungary.

It was a largely uneventful race. Sergio Perez, with his seat rumoured to be on the line, led a strong and aggressive race, which took him onto the podium. The Mexican driver couldn’t overtake Norris in the closing, however, and therefore had to second for third place. Hamilton, who made a late charge towards the podium, had to settle for fourth.

Leclerc comes unstuck in the pits

However, the day belonged to his teammate. Verstappen has now won the last seven races, and his lowest finish this season has been second. It is largely thanks to the flying Dutchman that Red Bull have made history by winning 12 consecutive races. No other team has achieved such a feat.

In contrast, Ferrari’s struggles continued. Both cars made a strong start to the race before either plateauing or falling back. Leclerc’s race came unstuck in the pitlane. The Monégasque dropped positions due to a slow first stop of over nine seconds.

*Charles Leclerc at the Hungarian Grand Prix. Photo source: Scuderia Ferrari Press Office.*

His second stop represented a further blow. The Ferrari driver was guilty of speeding in the pit lane and was therefore handed a five-second penalty. With the Mercedes finally beginning to replicate Saturday’s pace in the closing stages, George Russell, who fought his way from 18th, got within five seconds of Leclerc, overtaking him to finish sixth. Carlos Sainz finished eighth just behind his teammate.

The summer break will come at the right time for Ferrari, who will be looking to regroup after another difficult weekend. Before that, the grid will head to Belgium next weekend.

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Photo source: Scuderia Ferrari Press Office

Classical music reigns at the Palace’s summer concert series

by: Stephanie Horsman

23/07/2023

Here’s what to expect from the Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo’s summer concert programme at the Prince’s Palace of Monaco.

Held in the courtyard by night, a beautiful setting made more so by the starlit scheduling, guests at this summer’s line-up will enjoy a thoroughly classical repertoire from some of the world’s most talented musicians and conductors.

It all starts on Sunday 16th July with pianist Daniel Trifonov performing pieces by Rachmaninoff and Brahms under the conductorship of the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra’s own Kazuki Yamada. This scheduling has already sold out.

Then on Thursday 20th July, Fabien Gabel conducts Gil Shaham on violin as he takes on works by Mahler, Ravel, Strauss and Korngold.

This will be followed by a night of Kraus, Bach and Mozart on Sunday 23rd July with violinist Guiliano Carmignola and Matthieu PetitJean on oboe under the baton of Ottavio Dantone.

On Thursday 27th July, get ready for an evening of Mozart and Beethoven with Daniel Lozakovich on violin, conducted by Jean-Christophe Spinosi.

The first concert in August, set for Thursday 3rd, will see Lawrence Foster conducting Marc Coppey on cello for a night of select pieces by Brahms and Haydn.

Finally, on Sunday 6th August, Mozart and Beethoven will be revived by pianist David Fray under the baton of Jaap van Zweden.

Seats selling fast

Each of the concerts starts at 9.30pm sharp and tickets range in price from €22 to €110, although many of the premium Category 1 seats have already been taken.

For more information and to reserve your place at one of these spellbinding performances, please click here.

Photo credit: Gaetan Luci / Palais Princier de Monaco. This article was originally published on 11th July.

Cheap air travel in Europe is destroying the planet, says Greenpeace

by: Stephanie Horsman

23/07/2023

European holidaymakers have long been spoilt by cheap air travel options, and Greenpeace says these pollution-creating habits are wrecking the planet. So what’s the solution?

In a bombshell report released on 20th July, the environmental organisation revealed that European airfares are far less expensive than their less-polluting train counterparts, and that “outrageous” tax breaks for airlines are fuelling this practice.

In total, Greenpeace considered 112 popular routes and found that in only 23 was train travel a more cost-effective option. For example, the cost of a plane ticket from London to Barcelona is 30 times cheaper than on a train.

This stems from Europe’s airlines paying little VAT and no tax at all on kerosene, which goes some way to keeping costs down for passengers.

A study published earlier this month by eco-organisation Transport and Environment found that European governments lost out on a potential €34.2 billion due to a lack of proper taxation on aviation in 2022. This figure is set to rise to €47.1 billion by 2025.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

The desire to jump on a plane and escape to a holiday destination is something felt by millions each year and this, says Greenpeace, needs to stop.

“Aviation is one of the world’s most climate-damaging and inequitable industries,” reads the Greenpeace report. “While only 1% of the world’s population is responsible for more than half of global climate emissions from aviation, the consequences affect everyone around the world, from extreme weather events to pollution-related illnesses and disruption from noise.”

The report gets to the crux of the issue by stating the obvious: “One of the reasons people choose to fly rather than travel by train is price: why would anyone take the train from London to Barcelona and pay up to €384 when air tickets are available for the ridiculously low price of €12.99? Citizens deserve to have access to a clean, efficient and affordable transport system that does not harm the climate, people and our planet.”

SOLUTIONS?

Paris-based International Energy Agency, headed up by the energy ministers of predominantly wealthy countries, has called on law makers to “tax aviation according to impact, acknowledging that only a minority of the world flies”, as well as suggesting that airlines start utilising sustainable aviation fuel options.

Greenpeace, meanwhile, wants to see a shift from subsidised air travel tickets to train tickets and proposes “national, simple and affordable climate tickets.”

France is making some efforts towards this transition and the country recently initiated a ban on short-haul flights for any journey that can be taken by train in less than 2.5 hours. The ban, which came into effect on 23rd May, also includes a crackdown on private jets.

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Photo source: Mark Stuckey, Unsplash

Day: 23 July 2023