Energy-related emissions hit an all-time high in 2023

The latest figures released by the International Energy Agency (IEA) have revealed that worldwide energy-related CO2 emissions hit a record high of 37.4 billion tonnes in 2023, due in part to drought-stricken regions’ inability to rely on hydropower.  

Scientists have been warning for years that drastic cuts in greenhouse gas emissions will need to be made if the global community is to reach its climate change goals.  

With a vast amount of these gases coming from fossil fuel usage, countries have increasingly looked to alternative and renewable sources in order to power homes and businesses, but Mother Nature doesn’t always see things the way governments do.  

Last year, extreme droughts caused a 40% decrease in hydropower output worldwide. This in turn caused a 170 million tonne rise in emissions as affected regions were forced to turn back to traditional forms of power production. 

“Without this effect, emissions from the global electricity sector would have fallen in 2023,” says the report from the IEA. 

SOME GOOD NEWS 

Despite the drought factor, however, some of the world’s bigger polluters were able to achieve reductions in emissions in 2023.  

The European Union’s 9% fall in emissions was the biggest success story of the year, with the slow but steady shift to renewable energy generation coupled with a plunge in coal and gas power production leading the charge.  

The United States was also a winner, with a 4.1% decrease, thanks in large part to its electricity sector.  

China, normally a huge emissions culprit, also turned it around last year, offsetting its 5.2% emissions rise by becoming a massive contributor to the alternative power industry. Around 60% of new solar panels, wind turbines and electric vehicles came from China last year, meaning that the future there could see some steep drops in overall yearly emissions.  

The IEA has said that, without alternative technologies, the global increase in energy-related CO2 emissions over the last five years would have been three times larger than the 900 million tonnes registered. The agency has also revealed that, for the first-time, at least half of the power produced by developed nations came from low emission sources in 2023.  

 

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Photo source: Marek Piwnicki, Unsplash  

France seeks to “regain sovereignty” over livestock industry

In the wake of the large-scale farmers’ protests that rocked France earlier this year, the French government has announced a plan to strengthen the national livestock sector as well as the wider agricultural industry. 

On 25th February, France’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty, Marc Fesneau, unveiled his plans to better support those growing the nation’s crops as well as its livestock breeding sector. 

Fesneau hopes his plans will alleviate the fears of farmers who say that their livelihoods are in jeopardy due to cheaper imports and a growing number of regulations placed on the nation’s agricultural industry. 

The plans aim to bolster France’s ability to “produce what it consumes” in terms of crops and meat products, with a particular goal of meeting livestock sovereignty.  

“Breeding is essential in France and holds part of the solutions to the great challenges of our century,” reads a statement released by the Ministry. “The Government has decided to put breeding at the heart of its concerns by strengthening the plan to regain our sovereignty over breeding announced last October on the occasion of the 32nd Livestock Summit.” 

To that end, the government has enacted a €150 million benefits fund to support those raising cattle and has earmarked €400 million in guaranteed loans for the livestock sector, which will become available in July 2024.  

There will be €30 million available each year to support investment in agricultural equipment that contributes to significantly reducing greenhouse emissions and another packet of €15 million to strengthen the fight against tuberculosis and other diseases affecting livestock. 

The government is also publishing a decree to protect what can be designated as foods of animal origin, a requirement by restaurants to integrate 100% sustainable meat and fish products into menus, and to ask for an EU-level ban on synthetic meat, arguing that these cultivated products go against tradition and negatively impact livestock farming.  

Another element of the plans is to build interest in farming as a career choice and encourage generational farming within families.  

Finally, the mantra “produce what we consume” will be the battle cry henceforth, following the public confirmation of the Ministry’s mission to ensure food security and self-sufficiency in France, whilst continuing to improve standards and reach climate goals.  

 

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Photo source: Fabien Bazanegue, Unsplash

 

Princess Grace Irish Library announces spring writer-in-residence

In a blend of cultural history and literary celebration, the Princess Grace Irish Library, under the patronage of the Fondation Princesse Grace, has welcomed Flor MacCarthy as its Writer-in-Residence for the spring of 2024.

Flor MacCarthy, a journalist and author specialising in Irish history and culture, is the new Writer-in-Residence, in perfect timing as St Patrick’s Day approaches. She will explore the palace archives and the library’s extensive collection to gather material for her next book.

Supported by The Ireland Funds Monaco, the residency program underscores the deep historical and personal connection between Monaco and Ireland.

During her residency, Flor MacCarthy will share insights on the correspondence between Monaco’s Princely family and Irish presidents, highlighting the nations’ friendship. Her lecture, based on her book ‘The Presidents’ Letters’, will feature stories about notable figures including Presidents de Valera and McAleese, John F. Kennedy, Jacqueline Kennedy, and Queen Elizabeth II’s visit to Ireland in 2011.

The Princess Grace Irish Library will host a talk by Flor MacCarthy on Tuesday 19th March at 2:30pm. Before the event, there’s a special luncheon in collaboration with the American Club of the Riviera. To book a ticket, priced at €10, click here.

The Writer-in-Residence program at the Princess Grace Irish Library, celebrating the Monaco-Ireland connection, invites fans of literature, history, and Irish culture to spring events. Collaborations with the Blackwater Valley Opera Festival and The Ireland Funds Monaco highlight the library’s dedication to cultural and educational growth, continuing Princess Grace’s legacy in the arts.

 

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Photo credits: Princess Grace Irish Library

Marché de la Condamine to go green for St Patrick’s Day

st patrick's day

The Mairie de Monaco is throwing a big St Patrick’s Day party at the Marché de la Condamine later this month that will honour the traditional food, music and dancing of the Emerald Isle.  

On the back of the news that Prince Albert II of Monaco is set to appear in veteran filmmaker Frank Mannion’s star-studded new documentary ‘Quintessentially Irish’, in which the Monegasque sovereign will explore his family connections to Ireland through his late mother, Princess Grace, the Mairie de Monaco has announced its plans for a St Patrick’s Day celebration on 17th March.  

See more: Prince Albert II of Monaco to make star appearance in ‘Quintessentially Irish’ documentary

Traditional dishes from Ireland, Irish folk music and troupes of Irish dancers will punctuate the event, which will be held at the Marché de la Condamine from 12pm.  

The event is open to the public and is entirely free to attend. For more information, contact the Mairie de Monaco on +377 93 15 06 04.  

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Photo credit: Mairie de Monaco

 

Exciting plans get underway for this year’s They Are The Champions charity event

The 2024 edition of They Are The Champions, a charity event that aims to create special memories for sick and disadvantaged children, is still many months away, but its organisers are already making some very exciting plans. Here’s what we know so far. 

A date has been announced for the fourth edition of the charity occasion, which all began in 2021 when Philippe Demanet and Thierry Revel decided to raise money and awareness for the local Les Enfants de Frankie association through their participation in the E-Rallye Monte-Carlo.   

Later that year, they decided to hold a very special day of activities with a motorsports theme, which has grown into a popular annual event. 

See more: 20 kids given the thrill of a lifetime at ‘They Are The Champions’ charity event

This year’s event is being planned for 30th October and Monaco Life is joining a roster of high-profile names and social media stars in supporting the event. From YouTube car enthusiast Seb Delanney and rally pilot Raul ‘Le Professeur’ Marchisio to Lila Speech, one of the few female influencers in the automotive world, and Franck Galiègue from Movie Cars Central, a collector who has amassed over 40 cars from the movies, participation is set to be the best and biggest yet. 

Galiègue is to add a bit of cinema to They Are The Champions 2024 by offering to bring along a stunning replica of the Batmobile from Tim Burton’s Batman. Meanwhile, Cédric Boutsen of Boutsen Classic Cars, rally driver François Delecou and Neoyot’s Antony Brisac have also expressed an interest in taking part in the event.  

This year, Be Safe Monaco will be an important feature of the occasion alongside Les Enfants de Frankie. 

See more: Les Enfants de Frankie celebrates 25 years of hope and dreams

Anyone else interested in supporting They Are The Champions can contact the team via black.sirius.uae@gmail.com or on Instagram at @black.sirius.uae.  

 

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Pauline Ducruet’s racing collection, featuring Alexandre Grimaldi, goes on show in Monaco

Alter Designs, the eco-responsible and inclusive brand by designer Pauline Ducruet, daughter of Princess Stephanie, is presenting its latest collection ‘Alter Racing Club’, a tribute to its roots and the Monaco Grand Prix.

The collection features pieces inspired by the suits of racing drivers, including polo shirts adorned with the patches of imaginary sports clubs, and a dress with chrome highlights, all in ode to the Monaco Grand Prix.

Creator Pauline Ducruet has recruited her cousin Alexandre Grimaldi for the Alter Racing Club collection campaign, being featured on social media.

 

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A post shared by Alter Designs (@alterdesigns_)

Pauline Ducruet is the second child of Princess Stephanie of Monaco and Daniel Ducruet. She created the fashion brand Alter in 2018 to “embrace and inspire the freedom of self”.

Her cousin, Alexandre Grimaldi, is Prince Albert’s oldest son, born out of wedlock. He recently featured on the front page of Tatler magazine, and said in the interview, “I relate to elegance. I love Louis Vuitton, Dior, Givenchy. The big French houses. There’s a cultural connection which I admire.”

Alexandre also revealed that he is very close to his father’s family in Monaco.

The Métropole Shopping Center is hosting the Alter Racing Club pop-up until 31st March.

SEE ALSO:

Pauline Ducruet’s collection hits Paris catwalk

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Main photo taken from Alter Designs Instagram page