Monaco Yacht Show goes Green

by Marinelink.com/Sail-World Cruising on 2 Oct 2013 It might seem ironic, seeing there are so many guzzling superyachts in evidence, but the Monaco Yacht Show has gone Green, aiming at boosting environmental awareness in the world of pleasure craft.

MarineLink reports that on Saturday 28 September, aboard the 55m Ocean Paradise built by Benetti shipyards, which won a Green Award during the Show, an event was held which left a notable green footprint on the decks of the super yachts: leading classification company RINA Services and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation joined forces to promote the sustainable use of wood in the yachting industry.

Signed in the presence of Prince Albert II of Monaco, in addition to other joint initiatives for increasing global awareness on the part of yachting in protecting the environment, the agreement foresees the incorporation of the 'Wood Forever Pact' into the evaluation criteria for assigning the now-famous environmental notation Green Plus RINA.

There were a host of international VIP's at the signing ceremony, including the President of Kazakhstan, the Minister for Tourism of Mauritius, Karl Mootosamy, and the Italian Ambassador in Monte Carlo, Antonio Morabito.

Yacht builders who sign up to the pact agree to put in place a responsible purchasing policy for wood used in yacht construction and so contribute to combating deforestation and improving living conditions for local communities. RINA recognises that contribution to sustainability and environmental mitigation in its assessment of the Green Plus index of vessels built by members of the Wood Forever Pact.

RINA’s Green Plus Yacht is a voluntary Class Notation based on an environmental performance index which covers all aspects of the vessel’s impact on the environment, including carbon emissions.

The Class Notation is granted to vessels which make a significant investment in design solutions, onboard equipment, and operational procedures which contribute to lowering emissions beyond the minimum levels required by international regulation on environmental protection.

In June 2006, HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco decided to set up his Foundation in order to address the alarming threats hanging over our planet’s environment.

The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation works for the protection of the environment and the promotion of sustainable development. The Foundation supports initiatives conducted by public and private organisations within the fields of research, technological innovation and activities to raise awareness of the social issues at stake.

It funds projects in three main geographical regions: the Mediterranean Basin, the Polar Regions and the Least Developed Countries.

The Foundation’s efforts focus on three main sectors: Climate change and renewable energies, biodiversity, and integrated and sustainable water management together with the fight against desertification.