During the RINA Green Night
Shipowners, shipbuilders, entrepreneurs from the industrial world and institutions united for a single goal: to develop increasingly eco-sustainable business, with the Environment now a priority in every sector. A special occasion dedicated to this theme took place on Wednesday 21 September when, in the magnificent setting of the Hotel Hermitage in Monte Carlo, the “RINA Green Night” was held, promoted by the RINA Group.
Godmother for the evening was the splendid Tessa Gelisio, television journalist, an expert on environmental issues and president of the “forPlanet Onlus”, a foundation that develops concrete and efficient projects to tackle the continuous deterioration of the natural ecosystems whilst promoting practices and products that aim for the effectively sustainable development of society.
The evening began with the awarding of a special recognition from the RINA Group to the Principality of Monaco for the sensitivity Prince Albert II of Monaco has shown towards the environment, materializing in many terrestrial and marine studies, and thus enabling the Principality to become the centre for large-scale initiatives for environmental protection. Likewise, a special shield also went to the Monaco Yacht Show which has become distinguished in recent years for its commitment to environmental respect highlighted by its support for the Prince’s foundation.
Furthermore, the Show has always included the awarding of the “Green Plus” certificate in its calendar, which every year the RINA Group attributes to certain yachts here in Monaco. “The attention given to the environmental issues has increasingly become a fundamental characteristic of our activity” – commented Ugo Salerno, RINA Group CEO – “both because it meets the internal vocation of the company and also because it acts as an intermediary for boosting the range of services supplied at global level”. “Not being able to present all the projects performed in 2011 by the RINA Group together with its many partners” – stated Salerno – “we identified some of the most significant, inserting these in 10 different categories illustrated throughout the evening.”
In greater detail, the first category presented was the “2011 Green Cruise” where the key player was an Italian shipping line that has unveiled a truly “green” spirit: Costa Crociera whose entire fleet obtained the Green Star/Green Plus class notation during 2011. In the nautical sphere, the categories presented during the “RINA Green Night” were: “2011 Green Plus Yachts”, “2011 Green Plus shipyards/Production (yachts under 24 metres)” and “2011 Green Association”. The first of these was awarded the “Green Plus” certificates – the voluntary class notation from RINA that is based on a series of performance indicators covering all aspects, including CO2 emissions, linked to the environmental impact of a boat – to three yachts belonging respectively to the shipyards Columbus Yachts, Rossinavi e Sanlorenzo.
In recent years the sector for mega yachts and cruise ships has been supported by an ever-increasing number of shipyards that have invested in research and innovation for the development of yachts under 24m, serial productions, which were designed and built with respect for the highest environmental standards, and thus the choice to award a shield to the Azimut Benetti Group, the Feretti Group, Princess Yacht International and Sunseeker International endorses the value of their commitment in this sphere.
The Environmental Code created by the Union Internationale Motonautique was the project presented in the final category for the nautical sector, in that it represents one of the most significant steps that the federation has taken in recent years regarding the environment, aimed at developing initiatives that promote the reduction of emissions and the environmental impact of motor yacht sports events. The fifth category “2011 14001 Certification Company”, in the world of constructions, saw the Italian company Grandi Lavori Fincosit engaged in an environmental management improvement project.
More than a planning choice, today “sustainable building” is a necessity involving the entire chain of the construction sector. The category “2011 Green Emissions Reduction Project” saw two projects presented: “Ecopolis Fleet” by Arval, a company of the BNP Paribas banking group, leader in long-term car rental and in the management of company fleets, and the other linked to the an energy efficiency improvement project for the real estate property of the Generali Group, produced by Generali Gestione Immobiliare.
The sixth category presented was the “2011 CDM Project” regarding the CDM (Clean Development Mechanism) projects that are aimed at helping developing countries to contribute to achieving the objectives of the Kyoto Protocol on climate change. In 2011 Enel Trade performed an emission reduction project in China.
“2011 Green Donors Project”, is the name of the section that includes the International Cooperation Projects where a supranational institution co-finances development projects for emerging countries. The project presented was led by a consortium comprising Egis International and the RINA Group and financed by the European Commission. It involves the supervision and control of the procedures and activities for the recovery of 74 wrecks lying along the coast of Mauritania.
The activities are being performed in line with European and International Standards on safety in the workplace, environmental protection and waste disposal. For some time the fishing sector has been going through a particularly critical situation, characterized by progressive depletion of the stocks. It is in this context that the Avant-garde Fishing Project is inserted. Strongly desired by the Sicilian Regional Authorities, this project is aimed at supporting the local fisheries in strategically tackling the organizational adjustment and the structural investments necessary for re-launching the regional fishing economy on the basis of sustainability, respect for the environment, safeguarding the more traditional ethical values. The project was presented in the category”2011 Sustainable Fishing Project”. The final category “2011 Green Project Financed” saw two key Italian players. Mediocredito Italiano, which in 2011 presented a new funding project named Green Ship, devised expressly for the Italian shipowners who turn to RINA for classification services and destined to supporting the cost of improvement for the ship performances regarding the environmental impact.
The other project was Unicredit Leasing to whom in 2011 the RINA Group awarded the 100th Due Diligence Report issued for the funding of a Green Project, financed by Unicredit and audited by RINA. “RINA Green Night” was made possible thanks to certain sponsors: Gobbetto who took care of the organization for the evening, “Vabene” Watches, “La Scolca” Wine Producers of Gavi, “Giovanna Locatelli Mood” and “Comfort Zone”.
Source: RINA