How PRINCE ALBERT II of Monaco works miracles for the environment…
On the red tiled roof of Villa Girasole rests a grid of black solar panels. The handsome cream-coloured Belle Époque mansion is a short walk from Monte Carlo’s iconic casino, built in 1879. The villa’s solar photovoltaic system aptly reflects the activities that take place inside. Since 2006, it has been the headquarters of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, started by the Sovereign that same year. Prince Albert, who took office in 2005, has pursued an ambitious path to ensure that the Principality of Monaco, situated on the French Riviera, is at the forefront of sustainable development.
For the past 15 years, the Foundation has aimed to promote environmental protection, sustainable development, renewable energy and biodiversity around the world. In addition, the organisation has over the years opened ten representative offices in Europe, the USA, Singapore, and most recently in Beijing, China. “Our business is very international,” Olivier Wenden, the Foundation’s vice president and CEO, tells us. “We are a young team and everyone is devoted to what we do, much thanks to the fact that the Prince is so personally committed and largely involved in the daily work.”
Since the beginning, the Foundation’s area of focus has been the polar regions, developing countries and the ocean. The lion’s share of the money — last year just over three million euros — goes to projects in marine biodiversity. The reason, according to Wenden, is that there has been a great need there. “When we started in 2006, the ocean was not a priority area when discussing the climate crisis on a global level,” he says. “We have played a role in putting the ocean on the agenda.”
Through a project in collaboration with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), they have, among other things, managed to protect the Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean bluefin tuna from extinction. And when former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry took the initiative for the Our Ocean Conference in 2015, Prince Albert was one of the first to whom he reached out. The commitment to the ocean is in the Prince’s blood. His great-grandfather, Albert I, was an explorer with a keen interest in oceanography, and he founded the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco in 1889. The goal was to spread knowledge about and to protect the ocean.
A few years later, he was also the initiator of the Institut Océanographique de Paris, and was invited to speak at the American Academy of Sciences. Prince Albert II follows in the same footsteps. He is the first head of state in the world to have visited both Poles, and with his foundation he wants to influence the climate issue on a political level, as well as to help NGOs on the ground. That a country as small as Monaco sticks out its chin in the environmental field may seem remarkable, but it is not the first time the country has been on the cutting edge.
“In Monaco, the first races with motorboats were held in 1908 and the first helicopter trip took place here at around the same time. Since 2015, Bertrand Piccard’s and André Borschberg’s solar plane also has its mission control centre in Monaco. It can be said that we are a laboratory country for innovation,” Wenden states. “I think it has something to do with the fact that we are a small territory led by a visionary Prince.” The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation has grown gradually since its inception. Their scientific director, geologist Philippe Mondielli, has witnessed how over the years they have grown their own expertise. “After a few years, we noticed that our strength lay in putting together competent people into good teams,” Mondielli notes, “and that’s how we started with our own initiatives in the areas we felt there was an urge to act.”
In short, the foundation stands on two legs. During the first 10 years, they worked almost exclusively by contributing money and knowledge to various organisations’ projects. Since 2015, they have also launched — together with key partners — what they call their “initiatives”; long-term projects that they run from the start. Right now, they have eight such initiatives underway, including projects to protect monk seals and cut plastic pollution in the Mediterranean, and to strengthen marine protected areas. These in-house initiatives make up about 30 percent of the Foundation’s activities.
“Over time, we have built up a strong reputation and more players turn to us because they know that we are dedicated and have a good and large network around the globe”, Mondielli tells us, adding, “Sure, Monaco may be mainly associated with Formula 1, but the Prince has achieved the status of a recognised environmental leader on a global level.”
Last year, Prince Albert II’s environmental commitment was praised during the Hollywood for the Global Ocean Gala 2020, held at a private estate in Beverly Hills. He was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his commitment to ocean conservation, biodiversity and combating climate change. It was bestowed by American movie star Uma Thurman, who is also a regular guest at the Foundation’s own annual fundraising gala in Monaco. Since the start, the Foundation has been financed by donations from private individuals and companies. In order to raise more money and increase the awareness of environmental issues, the Monte-Carlo Gala for Planetary Health was launched five years ago.
It is held every September, and last year it took place despite the pandemic, albeit with a slimmed down list of guests. Invitees are a mix of Hollywood artists, researchers and philanthropists. The typical red carpet has been replaced by a blue one, and Johnny Depp, Nicole Kidman, Katy Perry, Gwen Stefani, Kate Beckinsale, Andy Garcia, Andrea Bocelli, Tommy Hilfiger, Dame Helen Mirren, Rebel Wilson and Maisie Williams, among others, have posed on it. The gala is housed on the terraces of the Opéra de Monte-Carlo, next door to the casino, and includes dinner, performances onstage, and an exceptional auction with everything from antiques and works of art, to unique experiences.
“Over the years, we have auctioned off cars, electric boats, paintings, jewellery and activities such as an expedition with the Prince in the Arctic,” Wenden says. “But also horseback riding with Madonna on her private estate in Portugal. We are blessed with artists who support us.” Last year, the British singer Sting was the guest of honor and performed on stage. Past awardees include Leonardo DiCaprio, Orlando Bloom and Robert Redford. And this year, the Foundation celebrates its 15th anniversary, and in honour of that, the Prince opened up the palace as a venue for the gala. ■
Feature image: HSH Albert II of Monaco receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award from actress Uma Thurman, during the Hollywood for the Global Ocean Gala in Los Angeles in 2020
By LOUISE FAUVELLE
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