Paving the Way for Sustainable Shows: Monaco Yacht Show’s Carbon Neutral Commitment

Since 2005, the MYS has raised awareness of environmental issues within the yachting community, on a local as well as an international level. Through partnerships with Carbon Neutral and Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, the MYS signed the pact for Monaco’s energy transition mission in 2022, committing to the eco-responsible evolution program of the Informa group. 

The pact for Monaco’s energy transitions involves four areas: mobility, waste, energy, and specific actions. By targeting these four areas, the goal is for MYS to reduce CO2 emissions by 60% in 2025, contributing to Monaco’s aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030, and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

With regards to mobility, the pact for Monaco’s mission for energy transmission has devised three solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The first of these is planning video conferences instead of business trips, limiting travel leading up to the show and therefore avoiding unnecessary emissions. During the show, travel cannot be limited to the same extent, which is why the pact has worked to provide bus tickets for exhibitors and a free electric shuttle service between each of the several exhibition areas. Obviously, it is impossible for all travel to be avoided, so these services are a significant step towards reducing emissions with regards to mobility at the show. 

A more efficient waste recycling system has been implemented across MYS, from the very moment the show is being set up, to during the show itself. Additional waste bins have been added, as well as extra staff members for collecting and storing waste. Signposting and communication materials have been developed so they can be reused for at least two editions of the MYS, as well as reused carpets being installed in the exhibition tents that will also be reused after the show. Regarding energy, it is notable that only green electricity is used throughout the MYS for its operations. MYS also sees energy consumption and carbon emission assessments carried out during the event, of which the results will be used as basis for concrete actions.

A series of specific actions have been implemented by the MYS, solutions that are already in place, as well as solutions which have been forecasted. Reusable water bottles will be used within the show, and bins for cigarette butts have been placed at the non-smoking show’s entrances. Going beyond tackling the issues at the MYS, this action raises visitors' awareness of Monaco’s encouragement to keep its streets clean, extending these positive actions from the locality of the show to Monaco as a entirety. It has been recommended that the exhibitors provide water cartons at their stands as opposed to plastic bottles, which continues the encouragement of using recyclable materials, furthered by the way that exhibitors have been informed on how to build their stands in a more eco-friendly way. The carbon footprint of the 2023 edition will be analysed, paving the way for future shows and marking the very exciting beginning of the future of sustainability for the event.

Last year, MYS welcomed the very first inclusion of the Sustainability Hub, an area which showcases sustainable solutions and eco-friendly projects all aimed at minimising superyachts’ environmental footprint. For this year’s show, the Hub is returning, set to increase sustainable discussions even more than last year with a new partnership with Siemens Energy. This allows for stakeholders in the industry to discuss sustainable energy solutions and clean fuels, on top of the return of last year’s careful selection process of the Hub’s participants, carried out in collaboration with the Water Revolution Foundation,  to ensure that only eligible companies with viable solutions are included. 

New to this year’s edition of the Sustainability Hub is the MYS info stand, a dedicated platform for attendees to participate in discussions on sustainability. This initiative will encourage the exchange of ideas, which will provide valuable feedback for MYS to enhance the sustainability of the show. This in turn will foster a sense of networking and collaboration, which may pave the way for future collaborative projects as well as forge a shared sense of ways to improve sustainability not just within the MYS, but elsewhere. 

With the return of the Sustainability Hub, alongside the pact for Monaco’s energy transition, we can marvel at the extent to which the show is committed to sustainability. Not only is MYS promoting sustainable solutions, it is actively embodying what it encourages through this wide range of specifically targeted solutions. 

The show has highlighted the importance of collaboration with partners, suppliers, and customers to reduce its carbon footprint and waste: reaffirming the fact that sustainability is not an issue exclusive to MYS, but a topic that involves everyone in order to create a cleaner future. The unwavering commitment that MYS has for sustainability is something that goes beyond the annual show itself, as it continues to encourage a shared commitment to sustainability to pave the way for a greener future.

In order to improve the future of sustainability at the Monaco Yacht Show, attendees and exhibitors are widely encouraged to fill out respective surveys for essential feedback. Visitors click here. Exhibitors click here. To find out more about sustainability at the Monaco Yacht Show, watch Episode One of Season Two of 'This is Monaco', now streaming on Superyachts.com, by clicking here.

The Monaco Yacht Show starts on Wednesday 27th of September. Be part of it. Don’t miss it.