Climate Change and the environment have been the top issues for Prince Albert of Monaco, and while he celebrates the first year of his succession to the Principality of Monaco, a local destination guide suggests that the second smallest country in the world is in safe hands and can look forward to years of progressive economic and social policies that extend well beyond the borders of Monaco.
'Prince Albert has changed his playboy image', they say, 'since coming to power he has taken the initiative on environmental issues, for example in April he went to the North Pole to draw attention to his fellow world leaders that the environment should be top of their agenda, and he has made a concerted effort to put the environment on the map of Monaco issues that need addressing'.
The environment seems to be of particular concern to Prince Albert, and with this in mind the 2006 Monaco Yacht Show was carbon neutral. The organisers will be paying for a variety of green projects in Europe and further afield, including enough wind turbines in New Zealand to generate power for 50,000 homes.
In two further steps earlier this year to increase Monaco's influence in world affairs and to promote Prince Albert's concern for the environment, the Monaco government announced that it would calculate GDP for the first time, enabling Monaco to meet the UN's target of 0.7 per cent for developing countries, and Prince Albert himself founded a new foundation as 'part of his personal commitment for the protection of the environment and for sustainable development'.
Prince Albert's father, Prince Rainier who ruled Monaco for fifty years was known as the 'builder prince', as Monaco grew out of all recognition while he was in power, transforming the principality from a European backwater to Europe's top tax haven and home to many of Europe's top businessmen and sports stars.
Prince Albert has continued his father's tradition, with plans recently announced for an island to be built off Monte Carlo which will increase the size of the world's second smallest country. But bidders have been asked to plan the project with the environment in mind, as well as the Monaco Grand Prix. The possibilty exists that the Grand Prix circuit will be changed to encompass the new island - and with it more opportunities for overtaking.
Monte Carlo
Tradition and modernity have long been features of Monaco, and as well as a first class infrastructure, the Principality can boast one of the world's top hotels in the Hotel de Paris.
Along with the banking and finance sectors that help Monaco's economy to be one of Europe's most successful, tourism also plays a major part, with many visitors making day trips from neighbouring France and Italy.
'The Monaco Grand Prix plays a part of course', comment the guide, 'but many tourists want to see what it is really like to be in Monte Carlo, the millionaire's playground. Monaco hotels enjoy high occupation levels despite the day trippers though, as so many business people are in Monaco for two or three days'.
Property prices in Monaco are among the highest in the world, with one bedroom apartments after closing costs starting at around a million Euros.
It's thought unlikely that the new island to be built off Monaco will reduce prices much overall despite the increase in the number of property units available as Monaco property is always in demand.
An estate agency who specialise in Monaco property for sale believe that most new apartments will be sold to investors off plan well in advance of any building work starting.
'The problem with property in Monaco is not the lack of buyers', they say, 'but more the lack of good properties for buyers to choose from. Hopefully the new island will address that. Everyone in Monaco is aware of how important the environment is thanks to Prince Albert's initiatives in pushing it up the political agenda, and any new developments will be low rise. With the good weather in Monaco expect to see plenty of solar panels on the roofs to make the buildings energy efficient'.
During his first year Prince Albert has successfully made the people of Monaco aware of global warming and taken steps to combat it, and for his second year and beyond he is likely to be campaigning just as hard at home and abroad on the issue he believes in so much.
Prince Albert Ii Of Monaco
Since Prince Albert has taken over the throne in Monaco, he has changed his ways and become a leader concerned about the future of the second smallest country in the world. To this end, he has worked hard to protect the environment of Monaco.
Prince Albert takes such a remarkable interest in the global warming cause in part because his small country sits on the Mediterranean Sea. As the level of the seas slowly rose, he became quite concerned that Monaco would be disastrously affected. In April 2006 he journeyed to the North Pole to make a point about the seriousness of global warming and saw first-hand how glaciers were slowly melting.
Environmental and social issues are a big part of Prince Albert's agenda. He has gone to great lengths to heighten awareness of global warming and ways to work together to protect the environment. The first act that Prince Albert achieved in his environmental efforts was to sign the Kyoto Protocol; a treaty signed by many nations to help reduce the greenhouse gases that affect the environment.
The Monaco Embassy in Washington, D.C. is known as "The Green House", a nickname given it by a Monaco travel site. Many believe that this embassy was established in order for Monaco to exert influence over the US Congress on social and environmental issues. Monaco publishes Gross Domestic Product statistics, which allows them to have full participation in the Third World and donates 7% of GDP to UN agencies appropriately.
The "plant a billion trees" campaign has Prince Albert's participation. The purpose of this campaign is for companies, communities and other organizations to plant more trees in their surrounding areas. Participants pledge to report how many trees they commit to plant to the United Nations Environment Program. The goal of the program is for at least 1 billion trees to be planted worldwide each year.
From April 19-27, 2008, the Tennis Masters Series will take place at the Monte Carlo Country Club. This event attracts the elite of the male and female tennis arena, many hailing directly from Monaco. Prince Albert will once again take the opportunity to use the popular annual event to raise money for sustainable development of the country, as well as environmental protection endeavors. The proceeds from the event go directly to the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.
It is easy to see that Prince Albert cares much about the environment of his country. There was concern that the residents of Monaco would not share Prince Albert's enthusiasm for environmental causes.
Would his spotlight on environmental issues diminish their claim to fame as a favorite tourist attraction country, with the Monaco Grand Prix and other popular venues? Since Prince Albert has found a way to keep environmental issues in the UN and not hurt revenues within the country, however, people are onboard with Prince Albert and they congratulate his efforts.
Roger Munns has sinced written about articles on various topics from Marketing, Family Travel and Cars. YourMonaco.com produce an on-line guide for Monaco and Monte CarloIncluded are details of. Roger Munns's top article generates over 201000 views. Bookmark Roger Munns to your Favourites.
