“Together towards a low-carbon economy” – work gets underway!

Our digital conference entitled “Together towards a low-carbon economy” was held on 28 May this year. Led by our colleague Isabelle Curau-Bloch and carbon consultancy firm I CARE ENVIRONNEMENT, the launch conference aimed to present energy and climate challenges, along with the principles of a low-carbon assessment and strategy. 

Held in digital format, the conference also marked the start of our programme to support 50 Monegasque businesses as they adopt a low-carbon strategy. Our goal is to make available tools, workshops, advice and a support calendar to enable everyone to establish their own low-carbon strategy.

How to use the low-carbon strategy support plan

As part of the economic recovery plan, the Prince’s Government is helping Monegasque businesses with their energy transition. The aim is to offer support to Monegasque businesses so that they can contribute on a broader scale to efforts to reduce carbon emissions while remaining competitive on the market. 

The support is being offered in three phases:

• June 2021: conference no. 1 and workshop no. 1;
• July/August/September 2021: support and assistance;
• October/November 2021: conference no. 2, workshop no. 3, assistance and revision.

These events seek to accelerate the commitment to the transition to a low-carbon economy made by the many companies taking part. The 50 firms from a diverse range of sectors can also take advantage of an effective, easy-to-understand management tool that allows them to set their own carbon reduction targets. The various in-person events, held in compliance with health regulations, give participants the opportunity to discover and engage with a wide variety of stakeholders in Monaco, including businesses, associations and institutions, who are all working in support of the energy transition. 

Following the conference, the first stage of this programme got underway in June with a series of workshops led by us in conjunction with the carbon consultancy firm I Care & Consult (who will be involved throughout the process of supporting businesses). 

The workshops offered in June covered a range of sectors:

• Tourism and events; 
• Construction, industry and transport;
• Energy distribution and public services;
• Other sectors (businesses with more/fewer than 10 employees).

I Care expert consultants attended the various workshops to help firms complete a greenhouse gas emissions assessment tailored to the context and activities of their businesses, using an expanded version of the Pact Carbon Coach. 

As a result, businesses committed to this initiative can now set their targets and define the strategy that they wish to put in place to reduce their emissions in line with the Paris Agreement and the Principality’s commitments.

The first stage of this support initiative was a huge success. Businesses committed to the programme will receive assistance for several weeks to enable them to develop their strategy and implement their actions. 

Once their strategies and action plans are in place, the businesses – like all firms in Monaco – will be able to take advantage of dedicated assistance from the State for the implementation of greenhouse gas reduction projects .