©Alberto Colman

The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, in partnership with the Government of Monaco and the Association MC2D, organised an information meeting on 24th January as part of the initiative ”Monaco makes a commitment against deforestation”.

The meeting, the theme of which was “towards exemplary action for the responsible use of wood in the Principality” consisted of two sessions.

In the morning, the speakers addressed the building sector:Architects, representatives of the Monaco City Council, companies from the Building and Public Works sector, the Société des Bains de Mer, various technical departments of the government.

The afternoon was focused on corporate certification:The audience was composed mainly of companies that have signed the Wood Charter established within the framework of this initiative and under which they undertake to move towards the exclusive use of certified wood.

The meeting was moderated by a panel of experts, partners of the Foundation, including the two main certification labels, FSC and PEFC, the NGO The Forest Trust (TFT) which supports companies in their move towards the responsible use of wood, the Association Technique des Bois Tropicaux (ATIBT) and the certifying body Bureau Veritas.Mr Riaux, Master Carpenter, brought his vision as to the art of using wood in the building industry.

These experts answered the questions put forward by the two audiences, in total approximately one hundred people.

They pointed out that sustainable forestry is the best way of protecting the globe’s major tropical forests and that consequently companies, by creating demand for certified tropical wood, were helping to save the “green lungs” of our planet.

All the experts commended the initiative “Monaco makes a commitment against deforestation” which is exemplary for all tropical timber-consuming countries and enabled it to receive financial support from the European programme ECOFORAF.

At the end of the day, certificates were presented to the companies that have signed the charter, which to date include twenty or so Monegasque companies.

           To find out more:www.fpa2.com/monaco-forets.html

Experts taking part in the event 

Jean–Yves Riaux Master Carpenter, specialist in building timber:Wood homes, historical monuments, in France and abroad; promoter of “wood materials” among consultant and designer architects in conjunction with the action of the “National Committee for the development of wood”.Independent consultant in “Wood Technology” and expert, member of the Sté des Experts Bois of Paris

Marie Vallée, Executive Director of FSC-France (Forest Stewardship Council)

Natalie Faulkner, Representative of PEFC International (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification)

Catherine Peguillan, Communications Manager for ATIBT – Association Technique des Bois Tropicaux and Vice-President of FSC-France (Forest Stewardship Council)

Marine Gauthier, Project Coordinator for TFT- The Forest Trust

Antoine Huguet, Director of the Forest Wood Department at Bureau Veritas

List of members of the Charter on the sustainable use and management of wood

• AGPR
• BELEAF
• CARREFOUR MONACO
• CONTINENTAL CELLULOSE
• DITO
• DORO
• FAIRMONT
• FLY
• GRAPHIC SERVICE
• GRIMALDI FORUM
• HARENDA INTERNATIONAL WOOD TRADING
• IMEDD, Institut Méditerranéen d’Etudes et du Développement Durable
• JB PASTOR ET FILS
• LES ATELIERS DU BOIS
• MONACO GREEN INTERNATIONAL
• MONACO MOBILIER SERVICE
• NOVOTEL MONTE-CARLO
• RAPID OFFSET
• RADIO ETHIC
• S.M.E.T.R.A
• SUMMIT
• TOUT BOIS
• TREMPLIN PROMOTION
• VEOLIA PROPRETE