Protecting Our Planet: Ocean Conservation and Sustainability with H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco

H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco is one of the world’s leading philanthropists dedicated to ocean conservation and sustainability. Over the last 15 years, the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation has invested nearly $99 million to fund almost 700 projects that focus on limiting the effects of climate change, promoting renewable energies, preserving biodiversity, managing water resources and combating desertification.

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Prince Albert discusses prioritizing global collaboration – from government to civil society, philanthropists to the private sector – reconciling economy and ecology and developing “blue finance” in a multi-lateral and multi-sectoral approach. Join The Washington Post’s Frances Stead Sellers on Thursday, Sept. 9 at 3:00pm ET.

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Highlights

Prince Albert II of Monaco said larger, developed countries are responsible for the majority of overfishing that occurs. “Overfishing… that’s a huge problem if you look at marine issues. The big… fishing fleets come from big countries. It’s not the little occasional fisherman from… an African country for instance who makes a difference, it’s commercial fishing fleets that catch whatever they can… It’s supposed to be regulated but there’s a lot of unregulated fishing out there.” (Video: Washington Post Live)

Prince Albert II of Monaco said while many countries have set similar goals to Monaco, he’s unsure how many are still on track to meet them. “We are still on target right now… to have a 55% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2050. Most countries have set the same types of goals, but I don’t know how many are still on target.” (Video: Washington Post Live)

Prince Albert II of Monaco said towns, cities and countries around the Mediterranean replicated Monaco’s bluefin tuna ban. “That was... part of our response to cut the demand. If you don’t propose something on your menu… and if you explain to customers why that is, they understand and there’s not as much demand for it… The number of restaurants doesn’t make that much of a big difference on the world stage, of course, but it was I think symbolic enough that it was able to, some other towns and cities and even countries also did that around the Mediterranean.” (Video: Washington Post Live)

“I’ve never stopped being amazed at the beauty of our planet. And if you just look at the places you love or the places that you’ve traveled to and made an impact on you, try to say to yourself, ‘I want my children and my grandchildren to see that same beauty.’” (Video: Washington Post Live)

H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco

Born in 1958 in Monaco, H.S.H. Prince Albert II is the Sovereign Prince of the Principality of Monaco. The year following his accession to the throne, he launched in 2006 the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, which continues his personal commitment for the protection of the environment by supporting sustainable, ethical and innovative projects around the world, with a focus on three main challenges: fighting against climate change and promoting renewable energy; combating the loss of biodiversity; and preserving water resources.

In January 2009, Prince Albert II of Monaco undertook a scientific journey in the Antarctic. This journey follows upon two other expeditions realized in Arctic in 2005 (Spitzberg) and 2006 when he reached the North Pole by sledge. Prince Albert II is the only Head of State to have visited both Poles.

H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco has been honored by numerous prizes from organizations around the world for His contribution and actions in favor of the protection of our environment as the Teddy Roosevelt medal at the United States Congress, the Roger Revelle prize at the University of California in San Diego, and the B.A.U.M Environmental award in Hamburg. HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco oversees the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco and the Oceanographic Institute at the University of Paris. He is a member of the Ocean Elders group and serves on the Advisory Committee for the Students on Ice Program. H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco is one of the IUCN Patron of Nature since 201