| Climate Change and the environment have been the | | | | opportunities for overtaking. |
| top issues for Prince Albert of Monaco, and while he | | | | Monte Carlo |
| celebrates the first year of his succession to the | | | | Tradition and modernity have long been features of |
| Principality of Monaco, a local destination guide | | | | Monaco, and as well as a first class infrastructure, the |
| suggests that the second smallest country in the world | | | | Principality can boast one of the world's top hotels in |
| is in safe hands and can look forward to years of | | | | the Hotel de Paris. |
| progressive economic and social policies that extend | | | | Along with the banking and finance sectors that help |
| well beyond the borders of Monaco. | | | | Monaco's economy to be one of Europe's most |
| 'Prince Albert has changed his playboy image', they | | | | successful, tourism also plays a major part, with many |
| say, 'since coming to power he has taken the initiative | | | | visitors making day trips from neighbouring France and |
| on environmental issues, for example in April he went | | | | Italy. |
| to the North Pole to draw attention to his fellow world | | | | 'The Monaco Grand Prix plays a part of course', |
| leaders that the environment should be top of their | | | | comment the guide, 'but many tourists want to see |
| agenda, and he has made a concerted effort to put | | | | what it is really like to be in Monte Carlo, the millionaire's |
| the environment on the map of Monaco issues that | | | | playground. Monaco hotels enjoy high occupation levels |
| need addressing'. | | | | despite the day trippers though, as so many business |
| The environment seems to be of particular concern to | | | | people are in Monaco for two or three days'. |
| Prince Albert, and with this in mind the 2006 Monaco | | | | Property prices in Monaco are among the highest in |
| Yacht Show was carbon neutral. The organisers will | | | | the world, with one bedroom apartments after closing |
| be paying for a variety of green projects in Europe | | | | costs starting at around a million Euros. |
| and further afield, including enough wind turbines in New | | | | It's thought unlikely that the new island to be built off |
| Zealand to generate power for 50,000 homes. | | | | Monaco will reduce prices much overall despite the |
| In two further steps earlier this year to increase | | | | increase in the number of property units available as |
| Monaco's influence in world affairs and to promote | | | | Monaco property is always in demand. |
| Prince Albert's concern for the environment, the | | | | An estate agency who specialise in Monaco property |
| Monaco government announced that it would calculate | | | | for sale believe that most new apartments will be sold |
| GDP for the first time, enabling Monaco to meet the | | | | to investors off plan well in advance of any building |
| UN's target of 0.7 per cent for developing countries, | | | | work starting. |
| and Prince Albert himself founded a new foundation | | | | 'The problem with property in Monaco is not the lack |
| as 'part of his personal commitment for the protection | | | | of buyers', they say, 'but more the lack of good |
| of the environment and for sustainable development'. | | | | properties for buyers to choose from. Hopefully the |
| Prince Albert's father, Prince Rainier who ruled Monaco | | | | new island will address that. Everyone in Monaco is |
| for fifty years was known as the 'builder prince', as | | | | aware of how important the environment is thanks to |
| Monaco grew out of all recognition while he was in | | | | Prince Albert's initiatives in pushing it up the political |
| power, transforming the principality from a European | | | | agenda, and any new developments will be low rise. |
| backwater to Europe's top tax haven and home to | | | | With the good weather in Monaco expect to see |
| many of Europe's top businessmen and sports stars. | | | | plenty of solar panels on the roofs to make the |
| Prince Albert has continued his father's tradition, with | | | | buildings energy efficient'. |
| plans recently announced for an island to be built off | | | | During his first year Prince Albert has successfully |
| Monte Carlo which will increase the size of the world's | | | | made the people of Monaco aware of global warming |
| second smallest country. But bidders have been asked | | | | and taken steps to combat it, and for his second year |
| to plan the project with the environment in mind, as | | | | and beyond he is likely to be campaigning just as hard |
| well as the Monaco Grand Prix. The possibilty exists | | | | at home and abroad on the issue he believes in so |
| that the Grand Prix circuit will be changed to | | | | much. |
| encompass the new island - and with it more | | | | |