Monaco

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Ahead of the opening of Expo 2017 Astana, the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) asks Julien Cellario, Commissioner of the Pavilion of Monaco, about his country’s participation.

Why did the Principality of Monaco choose “Mirroring the Future” as the theme for its participation at Expo 2017 Astana?

J. Cellario: The scenography of Monaco’s Pavilion will reflect the theme of urban development and its future, by focusing on best practices aimed at reducing CO2 emissions and promoting energy efficiency. In accordance with the wishes of HSH Prince Albert II, the Principality is like an eco-lab that seeks to contribute to the pressing environmental questions of our time.

The concept of “Mirroring the Future” (“Réfléchir l’Avenir”) questions the duality of man and nature, which reflects not only the Principality’s longstanding connection with the Mediterranean, but also man’s capacity to design a better future.

What lessons can be learned from the innovative consumption patterns and modes of transport implemented by the Principality as part of its Climate-Energy Plan?

J. Cellario: Monaco’s Climate-Energy Plan focuses on two issues:

• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the Principality by the simultaneous implementation of energy-saving measures and the development of renewable energy;
• Adapting the territory to climate change.

The objectives to be achieved by 2020 are the following:

• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2020, and by 50% by 2030,
• Reducing unit energy consumption by 20%,
• Increasing the share of renewable energy to 20% of final energy consumption.

The share of renewable energy today is 23%, notably thanks to the development of heat pumps since 1963. Currently, Monaco has over 75 heat pumps. Additionally, marine heat exchanger projects are being studied with regard to a heat exchange loop in the Condamine and Larvotto districts.

Regarding transport, the government is pursuing a policy with a commitment to favour electric and hybrid vehicles. Currently, over 550 charging plugs for electric vehicles have been installed in public parking lots, 15 electric bike docking stations are available, and the Principality boasts the “Mobee” car-sharing service for electric vehicles. In addition, the Government has set up a grant programme for electric and hybrid vehicles amounting to 30% of the purchase price.

Currently, electric and hybrid vehicles account for 3.2% of all cars in Monaco, and 35% of the publicly owned fleet.

One of the Expo’s sub-themes is “Reducing CO2 emissions”. What are the Principality’s goals in this area?

J. Cellario: The Principality of Monaco ratified the the United Nations’ Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) on 20 November 1992 and the Kyoto Protocol on 27 February 2006.

For the second phase of the Kyoto Protocol, the Principality has set an objective of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2020. As part of the Paris Agreement, the objective to reduce greenhouse gas emissions has been set at 50% by 2030 and 80% by 2050, aiming at carbon neutrality.

In 2016, the Princely Government set up a Mission for Energy Transition whose objective will be to extend the Government’s strategy to all public and private actors in the Principality. The prerequisite act in defining an energy transition roadmap for Monaco will be the participatory formulation of a White Paper, aimed at gathering the observations and propositions of local actors.

One of the Expo’s sub-themes is “Energy for All”. How does the Principality contribute to international cooperation in favour of energy access in developing countries?

J. Cellario: Through the Prince Albert II Foundation (FPA2), the Principality has supported the following projects :

• A project aimed at accelerating the adoption of LED lighting, particularly in India and China. It focuses on enhacing the benefits of LED lighting which include energy and carbon savings, social advantages, comfort and economic returns. Assistance is provided to decision-makers in the public and private sectors who intend to purchase LED lamps on a large scale, to help them overcome obstacles that may be encountered as part of their initiative.
• A program to create community spaces lit by LED and photovoltaic technology to allow the development of sport, leisure and educational activities for children and adults. The programme also has the support of the United Nations’ “Sustainable Energy for All” program. Support from FPA2 has allowed two schools to be equipped with lighting.
• In Laos, an electric lantern rental service has been set up to substitute for traditional oil lamps. The lanterns are powered by recharcheable batteries using a solar photovoltaic system and are billed based on the amount of the time the light is used.

The Foundation is currently supporting a project in the Tunisian municipality of Nabeul to establish two photovoltaic power stations. These stations will, for the first time in Tunisia, provide additional renewable energy needed for water sanitation services for tourist areas and the town’s domestic network, and will also supply some of the energy required for the municipal building and street lighting in the city centre.

Finally, a solar project aims to provide electricity access to seven rural settlements in the Anosy and Androy regions of Madagascar. The project thus contributes to an improvement in the living conditions of the local population, the development of economic activities and an improvement in the quality of basic social services.

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With a pavilion dedicated to the theme "Excellence and Solidarity – A New Look at Feeding the Planet", the Principality of Monaco highlighted its commitment to international cooperation programmes aimed at fighting against poverty and hunger in the world.

Monaco’s international cooperation policy in focus

This was illustrated in the form of tangible examples developed by the Department of International Cooperation of Monaco. Three initiatives in particular were highlighted; a project in Mongolia to support pastoralists via aid in farming techniques and marketing, a project in Madagascar to provide food support to mothers and babies, and a project to provide microfinance to social entrepreneurs in Burkina Faso. The two Monegasque foundations, Albert I and Albert II, were also present in the pavilion and held sessions of the Monaco Blue Initiative, a discussion platform on ocean protection.

Strong architectural symbols

The pavilion, designed by Enrico Pollini with the technical expertise of the Monegasque company ES-KO, brought together three strong elements:

• Containers, symbolising food distribution
• The tent, symbolising the shelter provided by Monaco to countries it supports
• The garden, a symbol of Mother Earth.

From Milan to Burkina Faso

The pavilion has a second life, as it is being relocated to benefit the Red Cross in Burkina Faso, where it will become a regional training and rehabilitation centre. The pavilion was designed to be dismantled and reassembled after the Expo. It was slightly modified to fit the needs of the Red Cross and the characteristics of Burkina Faso, with solar panels on the roof, and dormitories instead of offices. Additionally, the central part of the pavilion will host a canteen and an Internet café.

Click here to go on a virtual tour of the Monaco pavilion.