Next month’s Monaco Yacht Show will put sustainability front and centre

Words: Selma Day

The Monaco Yacht Show (MYS), which takes place from September 27-30, has reinforced its commitment to sustainability and ongoing efforts to minimise its environmental impact, with the recent launch of its carbon neutrality transition plan.

“Sustainability has become the cornerstone of our event, infusing every element with a purpose and a promise,” says Gaëlle Tallarida, managing director of MYS. “And in regards to these environmental challenges, we have high expectations for the 2023 edition. It’s about driving the conversation, raising awareness and inspiring positive change that creates a ripple effect that extends far beyond the shores of Monaco.”

Through its three-phase plan, the show is dedicated to achieving carbon neutrality, actively involving all its exhibitors and suppliers in the process.

By uniting its key stakeholders, exhibitors and attendees, MYS “has a unique opportunity to showcase its position” as a catalyst for change, says Tallarida.

In line with Monaco’s low-carbon trajectory, which aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, MYS is seeking to reduce its CO2 emissions by 60 per cent by 2025, when compared with 2022 levels.

Data last year was collated through stakeholders including visitors, exhibitors, service providers and yacht captains. Key findings were that the emissions from refrigerants used in air conditioning machines amounted to 48.5 tons, while emissions from electricity and water consumption were relatively low (0.1 tons from water and 2.4 tons from electricity usage). However, indirect emissions not owned or controlled by MYS, such as exhibitors, suppliers, waste and transportation, were significant.

To put it into context, according to data from MYS, employees contribute 1 ton of emissions, which is equivalent to 190 round trips from Paris to Bordeaux by train. Visitors generate 6,608 tons of emissions, equivalent to 6,600 round trips from Paris to New York by air.

Two men overlooking Monaco harbour

Waste amounts to 5 tons, equivalent to 44,000 plastic cups. Service providers contribute 39 tons, equivalent to 741 years of power consumption of a TV. And exhibitors generate 77 tons, which is equivalent to driving 620,000 km in a diesel car.

So what is MYS doing about it? Collaboration with partners, suppliers and customers, it believes, is essential to reduce carbon footprint and waste.

Last year’s Sustainability Hub aimed to raise awareness and promote sustainable practices among exhibitors and visitors.

Building on its success, this year it will once again host a series of conferences, workshops and interactive sessions that provide valuable insights into sustainable technologies aimed at reducing the environmental impact of superyachts.

View into Yacht

Located in the exhibition space of Darse Sud, dedicated to nautical equipment and technology, the Sustainability Hub serves as an incubator for innovative and ecofriendly solutions.

It provides a platform for both established companies offering tried-and-tested sustainable alternatives and budding startups seeking to make a mark in the yachting industry with their forward-thinking ideas.

“This dedicated area for eco-friendly yachting alternatives is part of our extended sustainability programme, which encompasses the entire show’s logistics and layout,” says Tallarida. “We aim to support exhibitors, service providers and visitors alike in finding viable solutions to environmental challenges.

“The journey toward sustainability demands collective responsibility, a shared understanding of the urgent need for change. Every exhibitor, every attendee and every stakeholder plays a vital role in driving sustainability forward. We actively encourage them to align with our commitment, urging them to embrace eco-friendly technologies, materials and practices.

“Together, we can foster a more eco-conscious future for the yachting industry – one that cherishes our oceans, protects our environment and paves the way for a harmonious coexistence between luxury and sustainability.”

monacoyachtshow.com