Nico Rosberg, owner of E-sports team Rosberg X Racing, has waded in on COP26. A prominent figure within the environmental sub-section of the sporting world, Rosberg took to Twitter to advocate for the implementation of environmental policies, whilst also confirming his attendance at the conference this week.
Since his retirement from Formula 1 following his championship-winning season in 2016, Rosberg has dedicated himself to the environmental cause, culminating in the creation of his own E-rally team Rosberg X Racing, which recently earned him the European Culture Award for the Environment.
In a video and subsequent thread posted on Twitter, Rosberg on Monday called for urgency in the face of the climate crisis. In particular, he highlighted the Paris Agreement commitment to limiting the global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees by 2030 stating that, “Decisions made now affect the pace of transition to reach that zero carbon emission goal.”
I'm looking forward to attending #COP26 this week 👍 What are your expectations and wishes? To support our 1.5-degree target, I advocate for these key topics: pic.twitter.com/axqKUQj4Kr
In order to reach that target, Rosberg has advocated for three important changes to be immediately implemented. Firstly, he called for a shift from fossil fuels towards renewable energy sources. Secondly, for the protection of rainforests and biodiversity, primarily through stopping deforestation. Finally, to build circular economies for every industry, in order to stop the use of single-use plastics.
Rosberg’s advocacy for sustainability uses the medium of sport to convey the environmental message as, in his own words, “Sport has a unique power to highlight climate change.” His engagement in the novel Extreme-e rally series has already raised the profile of climate change within a sporting context, with other racing series, including Formula 1, now starting to consider and address their environmental impact.
Rosberg will be hoping that his in-person attendance at COP26 will further raise the profile of sustainable sport, and hopefully elicit tangible, positive change at this critical juncture for the survival of the planet.
Prince Albert was there for the opening day of COP26, launching the third declaration of ‘Because the Ocean’, an initiative he activated in 2015 that calls for oceans to be part of the solution to tackling climate change.
HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco was joined on 31st October by Chile’s Minister of the Environment and President of COP25 Carolina Schmidt, Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General Henry Puna, and a number of ministers and ambassadors for the launch of the third ‘Because the Ocean’ statement at a special event at the University of Edinburgh.
The 2021 declaration, described as “a plurilateral initiative for a multilateral ocean outcome at COP26”, calls for the adoption of a COP26 decision that encourages all Parties to the UN Convention on climate to better take into account the interaction between ocean, climate and biodiversity in their implementation plans for the Paris Agreement, and to recognise the need for greater ambition at all levels to fight climate change and protect the ocean.
The signatories of the Declaration affirm that they commit to:
Work to accelerate efforts to phase out greenhouse gas emissions associated with international maritime transport;
Promote the development of clean renewable energy sources at sea, taking into account the possible impacts on marine and coastal ecosystems;
Advocate for the strengthening of public and private sources of support for climate adaptation and mitigation of its effects on the ocean, particularly with multilateral development banks, climate funds, public aid to the development and other international financial institutions; and
Collaborate with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to achieve these goals and foster the exchange of knowledge and good practices.
In his address, Prince Albert underlined the essential role the ocean plays in regulating the climate by absorbing more than 25% of CO2 emissions and 90% of excess heat due to global warming. He also discussed the impact of warming ocean waters, changes in ocean currents and ocean acidification on marine life, as well as the effects of sea level rise on coastal environments and the increasing number of extreme weather events related to oceans.
“We must fully explore the role of the ocean and strive to better understand it, develop conservation tools, strengthen the means implemented to promote it, improve its governance and take better account of ocean issues in all United Nations negotiations,” said Monaco’s head of state.
Despite the crucial link that exists between the ocean and the climate, it was not until the COP25 in 2019 that the ocean was really taken into account in the work of the United Nations Climate Change Convention. Of the 120 Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) submitted prior to COP26 in accordance with the Paris Agreement, 80 refer to action in favour of the ocean. After handing over the presidency of the COP to the United Kingdom, COP25 President Carolina Schmidt said that “the COP has turned blue and all subsequent COPs will be also.”
The launch of the 3rd ‘Because the Ocean’ declaration is just the beginning: more countries are expected to join the initiative before the conclusion of COP26. Prince spearheads ocean protection at COP
The ‘Because the Ocean’ (BTO) initiative was launched under the patronage of HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco during the 21st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP21) in Paris in November 2015, calling for better consideration of the interaction between the ocean and climate change within the mechanisms of the convention.
23 countries signed the first BTO declaration, calling for 1) a special IPCC report on the ocean and cryosphere in the context of climate change, as proposed by Monaco; 2) the convening of a conference by the United Nations on the ocean to promote the implementation of SDG14, the sustainable development goal for the ocean; and 3) the adoption of an ocean action program under the United Nations Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Due to the growing interest in the convention, a second BTO declaration was launched at COP22 in Marrakech in 2016. In this declaration, the 33 signatory countries “encourage the parties to the UNFCCC to consider Submit Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) that promote, where appropriate, ambitious climate action to minimise the adverse effects of climate change on the ocean and contribute to its protection and conservation”.
Over the past five years, through awareness-raising and visibility actions, international and national workshops and political advocacy, the ‘Because the Ocean’ initiative has encouraged the integration of the ocean into the debate around climate change policy, commonly referred to as the ‘ocean – climate nexus’, emphasizing that the ocean must be part of the solution to tackling climate change if greater ambition is to be achieved.
Photos by Gaetan Luci, Prince’s Palace
Roca team stride to victory against struggling Paris side
AS Monaco Basket rounded off a perfect week, securing their fourth victory in seven days with a comfortable victory against Betclic Élite strugglers Paris. The win takes the Roca team joint top of the domestic league, behind Boulogne and Lyon only on points difference.
Paris got off to a strong start in the first quarter, but Mitrovic’s men quickly fought back thanks to two hoops from Alpha Diallo. By the end of the first quarter, AS Monaco had eked out a narrow 23-22 lead. The Roca side built on their lead in an impressive second quarter that ultimately put the game out of reach.
Paris Lee set the tone for the half for Monaco, two three pointers from the American went unreplied and a lead started to grow. That was followed up by Ibrahima Fall Faye who scored an impressive dunk on the counter attack to score the 8th point without reply. A dominant Roca side continued to extend their lead, and by the half-time mark it had been extended to a comfortable 15 points.
Not content with simply consolidating their advantage, AS Monaco continued to attack in the third quarter. Their lead was extended further thanks to the playmaking efforts of Mike James, whose passes and attacking incision created numerous point-scoring opportunities, which were duly converted by a clinical Roca team.
Going into the final quarter, AS Monaco had an unassailable 24-point lead. Despite a closer fourth quarter, ASM continued to impose themselves. Ibrahima Fall Faye cleverly intercepted a loose Paris pass to score an impressive solo dunk on the break. Alpha Diallo and Rudy Demahis piled on the misery for Paris late on to secure a 100-75 victory for Mitrovic’s men. Diallo finished the match as Monaco’s leading point scorer with 15 points.
Mitrovic was unequivocal in his praise for his side post-match, highlighting in particular the squad depth at his disposal. “Only positives, all is good… the players that I called upon all responded… This season will be a long one and I’m going to need everybody. The next match will be against strong opposition against one of the strongest sides in the Euroleague. We need to be ready.”
Mitrovic will be hoping that his side can continue their winning streak away at Olympiacos on Friday.
The planet is facing two of the biggest threats in its history, biodiversity loss and climate change. These are worsening at extraordinary speed and our collective failure to act is having disastrous consequences.
There is a growing recognition and understanding among world leaders and policymakers of how biodiversity loss and climate change crises are connected, but we are yet to see united strategies on a global scale to address them. Habitat destruction diminishes nature’s ability to effectively store carbon and reduces species’ ability to adapt to changing environmental conditions, this then increases their risk of extinction and further exacerbates the breakdown of ecosystems.
But there is hope. We know that when given the chance, nature can recover.
“To drive nature’s recovery we are working tirelessly to ensure biodiversity is embedded in global decisions being taken on climate change at major events this year,” said Matthew Lowton, ZSL Policy Officer. “The pivotal climate conference COP26, held in Glasgow, is seen by many as the last chance we have to keep global warming of 1.5 within reach. ZSL will be attending and calling for global leaders to place nature at the heart of global decision-making, uniting solutions to tackle biodiversity loss and climate change. Governments must tackle these twin crises together.”
Biodiversity is also declining across the world at unprecedented rates. ZSL’s 2020 Living Planet Index – a measure of the world’s biological diversity based on population trends of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and fish – recorded a decline of 68% in average species population abundance since 1970. This is a frightening number. At ZSL, we are committed to reversing these declines in conjunction with conservation strategies to support ecosystem health.
The drastic fall in biodiversity levels impacts economies, livelihoods, food security, health and quality of life worldwide. Investment in the future of our planet is essential to reversing these declines and supporting the health of wildlife and of people. Elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata), copyright Erik Brun
“At ZSL, we strive for the recovery of wildlife because this lies at the heart of healthy functional ecosystems that underpins ecological and climate recovery,” adds Andrew Terry, ZSL’s Director of Conservation and Policy. “These nature-based solutions can be immensely powerful – but they are currently underfunded, under-studied and overly simplified. We have to accept that the answers are difficult, challenging and require major long-term commitment. Nature-based solutions must sit alongside technological solutions.”
Corals can be described as the canaries in the coalmines, and the urgent need for united, global decision is clearly illustrated by the world’s reefs. Coral bleaching, caused by rising ocean temperatures, is an all-too-visible marker of stress or death.
Coral polyps – tiny animals – are the architects of some of the most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth. The reefs they build provide vital habitat, feeding, spawning and nursery grounds for more than a million aquatic species, while around 450 million people rely on them for food, coastal protection and their livelihoods.
Here in the UK, we are engaging young people through our two Zoos, London and Whipsnade. The next generation will most keenly feel the impacts of climate change in the future, while also potentially seeing the loss of some of the planet’s most recognised species if we do not act. ZSL is committed to inspiring and educating these conservation leaders of the future to get involved, by connecting them with wildlife in our Zoos, and supporting teachers with resources on climate change.
Together, we have an opportunity now to change the future of our planet. ZSL’s innovative work around the world shows that nature can return and thrive given the right combination of help. Our vision for the future, a world where wildlife thrives, is underpinned by the Sustainable Development Goals and is led by the power and insight of our world leading science, boots on the ground field conservation and practical experience of caring for endangered animals in our Zoos. Vitally, our conservation interventions are low-cost and high impact.
We each have the power to secure change, but we need your help. Each small act can make a difference, from using a re-usable cup, to making a commitment to the health of our planet by donating to our work, to connecting your business with ZSL to drive our vision for the future together. At this critical moment in time for our planet, I invite each of you to make a transformative change for the future of our shared planet.
James Wren is the ZSL Executive Director of Fundraising and Engagement.
In just three short years, Monaco has turned the idea of creating a world-class digital infrastructure in the Principality into a reality. The key players in making this happen have come together to talk about their past successes as well as their future plans.
The Principality has taken several decisive steps under the Extended Monaco banner to make the country future-ready, including the introduction of the 5G network, creating 10G super high-speed fibre connections, creating a digital identity for residents, and being the first in Europe to have its own sovereign state cloud.
The plan, based on the precepts of sovereignty, performance, security and proximity, has aimed to give both the private and public sectors unprecedented access to the latest technology.
It has also put forth a way to promote new tech in the form of the Blue Fund. Launched at the end of 2020 as an economic recovery tool during the darkest days of the pandemic, the fund has backed over 350 digital transformation projects, supported by local service companies in nine out of 10 cases. In human terms, this means that 250 new jobs have or will be created.
A meeting was held on Monday 25th October at the Princess Grace Theatre to outline the whirlwind of activities of the past three years that have marked the initial stages of Monaco’s digital transformation.
Prince Albert II, along with Minister of State Pierre Dartout, President of the National Council Stéphane Valeri, Interministerial Delegate in charge of the Digital Transition Frédéric Genta, and several other top government officials in the nation’s political and economic realm gathered to outline the next steps in the Extended Monaco programme and to applaud the efforts made thus far, despite being in the grip of a global pandemic.
“In less than three years, digital technology has seen spectacular progress for the daily life of Monegasques, residents and commuters,” said Prince Albert. “Our economy has taken the digital turn. The enthusiasm of our companies for our support and recovery measures is proof of the expectations of the Principality’s economic players in this area.”
The country’s lightning-fast transition to a digital framework, says Frédéric Genta, makes Monaco an incredibly attractive option for companies beyond the Principality’s own borders.
“On the strength of its cutting-edge digital infrastructures, the dynamic transformation of its economy, a protective legislative framework vis-à-vis certain intrusive global practices and its ecosystem of investors, the Principality has unique advantages to attract the residents and businesses of tomorrow, not to say today,” he stated proudly.
Photo: Frédéric Genta, Interministerial Delegate for the Digital Transition, by Manuel Vitali/ Government Communication Department
The pandemic, which potentially could have been disastrous, became an opportunity for Monaco to transition more quickly digitally, and the country took full advantage. Services that were once face-to-face went online, notably the dematerialisation of aid requests for companies, the launch of teleconsultations, the creation of the covid19.mc website and the establishment of solid distance learning and work-at-home programmes.
This, in turn, has given rise to positive changes in many sectors. The education system was able to overhaul its teaching practices, soft mobility options to reduce the carbon footprint were realised, 3D modelling assessments for urban works were created to lessen the impact on residents through noise and dust reduction, and an online portal for doctors and patients was developed making appointments easier as well as giving doctors quicker access to patient files.
This seems to be just the start. Pierre Dartout announced that in the “next few days” a new service called the ‘Digital Single Window’ will be launched. This allows all the administration’s tele-services to be accessed in one place, allowing authentication through digital identities.
“This Digital Single Window will gradually evolve in the coming months,” said the minister of state. “It will naturally be enriched by the new tele-services that will emerge, but also by a safe storing of the electronic documents exchanged with the administration. We will also work to create a ‘tell us once’ service for major life events.”
The new portal is the climax of a project that began in 2019 to streamline the services for end users by offering them round-the-clock and seven-days-a-week access to administrative procedures and forms. A total of 70 procedures have gone paperless including residence permit requests, enrolling in college and high school, submitting an application for civil service jobs, helping the Green Fund or the Blue Fund, and even making payments to school canteens.
The government says it aims to make every procedure dematerialised by the end 2022.
Top photo of Prince Albert II of Monaco by Manuel Vitali/ Government Communication Department
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