Page 59 - Livre_MOW2022_EN

ROUND TABLE 6

THE PLASTIC ISSUE:
FROM POLLUTION
TO INNOVATION

Plastic pollution mitigation does not only require
the impetus of international leaders and bu-
sinesses, it also depends on the development
of technology and disruptive solutions to help
curb it. The session shed light on the work ac-
complished by innovative companies, all selec-
ted among over 1,000 clean and cost-effective
solutions identified by the Solar Impulse Foun-
dation to address the environmental crisis.
CONCLUSIONS
New recycling systems are already in place,
such as the alternative to plastic created by “Why haven’t we got these solutions everywhere?”, asks the Swiss explorer
UBQ Materials, based on household waste, and environmentalist Bertrand Piccard, who advocates a more proactive fu-
a system which limits methane emissions. ture in terms of looking for solutions, stressing the importance of a profusion
Arqlite, a company that transforms non-recy- of tangible and trustworthy solutions, but the need for innovation in the field
clable plastic waste into building materials for of governance too: “There is a need for political exploration, for new laws. In
buildings, is another example. The concept of Monaco, we have a Head of State who knows that regulations need to be
small recycling plants (Replace Plastics) or mi- modernised in terms of the environment, and who talks about this to other
croplastic free water (Wasser 3.0) are among Heads of State, and this helps us to make headway.”
the many solutions deployed and supported by
the Solar Impulse Foundation. In the presence of HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco, the panel representatives
then outlined the main ideas emerging from this event dedicated to ocean
innovation and regeneration, before passing the floor, for his concluding re-
marks, to Olivier Wenden, Vice-President of the Prince Albert II of Monaco
Foundation: “We have to show that these ecological solutions exist and can
help regenerate increasingly damaged ocean ecosystems. And to do so, we
need science, governance and sustainable and responsible business.”

This event was an opportunity to finalise the memorandum
of understanding between the Solar Impulse Foundation
and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation (PA2F).
Sharing a common goal – to work for environmental
protection and the promotion of sustainable development
- the purpose of this collaboration is to pool and intensify
the efforts of both foundations and their networks. The
promotion of clean and innovative solutions and the
deployment of sustainable economic opportunities that
help protect biodiversity, as well as improved resource
management form part of the terms of the partnership
signed during Monaco Ocean Week.