Guaranteeing air quality and a clean sea
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Committed to environmental protection, notably through the action of H.S.H. Prince Albert II, the Principality of Monaco is dedicated to preventing all forms of pollution that could affect its territory and territorial waters. This commitment is pursued through a range of complementary initiatives, forming part of a broader ambition to preserve the climate and biodiversity.
Air Quality Monitoring and the Fight Against Various Forms of Pollution
With a view to preventing pollution that could affect its territory, the Princely Government has established a network of five automatic monitoring stations to assess air quality in the Principality. Since 2018, the population has been informed daily about air quality through the Air Quality Index (AQI), available online on the Government’s website. In addition, since the end of 2021, the Principality has implemented a pollen monitoring system, in collaboration with the French aerobiological monitoring network.
A noise monitoring network has also been established through the development of a noise map.
Combating Marine Pollution
The Principality of Monaco is also committed to preserving the quality of its territorial waters. Designed to prevent and limit marine pollution, the RAMOGE Agreement—signed in 1976 by France, Italy, and Monaco—constitutes a valuable tool in this regard.
Over nearly fifty years, this major international agreement has helped highlight Monaco’s experience and operational expertise in marine environmental protection and the fight against marine pollution. RAMOGEPOL exercises, the various events organized under the Agreement, and the initiatives of the PLCP working group (formerly RAMOGEPOL) have strengthened the Principality’s ties with the French maritime prefecture and the Italian Guardia Costiera.
The RAMOGE agreements also provide Monaco with a shared body of experience in managing navigation and anchoring in the Mediterranean. This data is particularly useful for addressing cross-cutting issues, such as the environmental impact of cruising and large yachting, and can be applied to local challenges.
The quality of bathing waters is closely monitored through regular analyses of samples taken from all bathing areas, along with an annual compliance report available to the general public.
These policies form part of a broader approach to preventing and combating pollution, particularly plastic pollution. An ambitious waste prevention and management plan has therefore been developed with a 2030 horizon, specifically targeting the elimination of single-use plastics. This plan is structured around several key axes:
- Reducing waste generation at source, particularly plastic waste
- Improving waste sorting and selective collection
- Optimizing local waste recovery
- Raising awareness among all stakeholders across the territory
Combating Climate Change and Preserving Biodiversity
Alongside these efforts to improve air quality and protect the marine environment, the Principality continues its commitment to combating climate change.
Playing a leading role in global climate negotiations—thanks in particular to the continued involvement of H.S.H. Prince Albert II and his support for the work of the IPCC—the Principality ratified the Paris Agreement as early as October 2016. It has also committed to reducing its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 55% by 2030 and by 67.6% by 2035 compared to 1990 levels, and to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.
In this context, the Principality of Monaco adopted a Climate Air Energy Plan for 2030 (an action plan covering the 2020–2030 period), which was awarded the European Energy Award (EEA) Gold label in 2024. This label recognizes Monaco’s commitment to an exemplary energy and climate policy.
The Climate Air Energy Plan sets ambitious objectives, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving air quality, and optimizing energy consumption.
Finally, the Principality of Monaco is pursuing an ambitious biodiversity policy, notably within the framework of the objectives set by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
In 2021, Monaco submitted its first National Biodiversity Strategy (NBS) with a 2030 horizon to the Secretariat of the Convention, representing the Principality’s contribution toward achieving the CBD objectives.
This framework document defines the general policy orientations for biodiversity.
A key priority focuses on adapting the territory to climate change by integrating and developing nature within Monaco’s urban model. This urban renaturation axis also aims to ensure coherence between Monaco’s international commitments and the actions implemented at the national level.