Prince Albert visits Copenhagen

Oceans Day and Monaco's Blue Initiative.

It's been a busy time for Prince Albert who attended the 15th United Nations Conference on Climate Change in Copenhagen. On the 14th December he opened Oceans Day [1], which was dedicated to understanding how climate change is affecting the world's oceans. Scientists are warning that sea levels will have risen by 1 or 2 metres by the end of the century, and are urging international governments to take action to limit global temperature increases and stabilize greenhouse gas levels. Prince Albert II took the opportunity to unveil Monaco's Blue Initiative [2], organized jointly by the Fondation Prince Albert II and the Oceanographic Museum.

Prince Albert also took part in a working session for the Republic of Congo's forest basin, and in a round-table on electric vehicles organized by the Climate Group [3], ending the day at a working dinner.

The following day the Prince launched the EV20 Initiative with California's Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. He also took part in a press conference held by the Aspen Institute [4], which is partner of the Fondation Prince Albert II. During the conference he urged the international community to take immediate action to combat climate change in the Arctic.

During the Summit, Prince Albert announced the following objectives for Monaco:

• By 2020, 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to 1990
• By 2050, 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to 1990
• Eventual carbon neutral position
• By 2020, improve energy efficiency by 20%
• By 2020, 20% energy consumption from renewable sources

Many observers feel that the results of the Copenhagen Summit [5] failed to bring about an international agreement that will help solve the problem of climate change.