A reference eco-responsible territory
In line with the policy instilled through the Agenda 2030 signed by 193 UN member states, several measures have been deployed by the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolitan area to develop eco-responsibility in the area. By promoting soft mobility, inviting projects to promote sustainable development and expanding the territory’s natural areas, the Metropolitan area is driving a constantly improving environmental policy.
Nice Eco-Valley
In line with its eco-responsible values, the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolitan area continues to develop its Eco-Valley on the outskirts of Nice Côte d’Azur airport. Labelled an “Operation of National Interest”, the Nice Eco-Valley is a demonstration area for the policy in favour of biodiversity and sustainable development. The operation is planned over approximately 30 years and is taking shape through various projects such as the Grand Arénas business district, the Nice Méridia urban technology park and the Hameau de la Baronne in La Gaude.
A technology park dedicated to eco-technologies, it is home to cutting-edge companies. Eco-construction, intelligent networks, sustainable mobility and renewable energies are all sectors of the future in which competitiveness clusters such as Capénergies, Secured Communicating Solutions (SCS) and Risques are positioned. The Côte d’Azur is a hub of expertise and experimentation.
IMREDD
Mediterranean Institute for Risk, Environment and Sustainable Development.
Located in the Plaine du Var Eco Valley, in the heart of the Nice Méridia eco-district, IMREDD has integrated its Totem building, a precursor of future designs and technologies, at the start of the 2020 academic year.
IMREDD brings together 180 teacher-researchers, 480 students, 12 research laboratories and 20 training modules, in a cross-disciplinary approach to environmental issues.
Towards sustainable mobility
In line with its previous actions as a sustainable destination, the Nice Côte d’Azur metropolitan area offers several soft mobility facilities to its inhabitants and visitors: two tramway lines, subsidised pedal taxi services, electric bicycle hire, cycle paths, etc.
In the city of Nice, many users take advantage of the three tramway lines that allow them to get around while reducing their environmental impact.
This eco-responsible transport offer is being further developed and will be expanded with the next major project in the area: the construction of line 4. Completing the existing network, it will serve the 2nd and 3rd largest towns in the Metropolitan area: Cagnes-sur-Mer and Saint-Laurent-du-Var. The project aims to link the various economic centres such as the airport, the Arénas, CAP 3000 and the Arnault Tzanck Institute for example, and should be completed by 2040.
The Nice Côte d’Azur airport, currently served by line 2, will thus become even more accessible to all travellers and workers.
An Airport Carbon Accreditation level 4+ airport
The second largest French airport, Nice Côte d’Azur International Airport, is also committed to eco-responsibility and in 2021 was awarded the Airport Carbon Accreditation level 4+. This accreditation attests to the reduction, in absolute terms, of its emissions after 20 years of efforts to improve its environmental policy. It also reflects the region’s commitment to eco-responsibility, a commitment confirmed by the Metropolitan area’s recent entry into the GDS-Index 2022.
It is a firm commitment by the Aéroports de la Côte d’Azur group to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030 – 20 years earlier than the commitments made at the global level during COP21 – without compensation.
A very committed Visitors Bureau!
The eco-responsible approach is part of the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau’s CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) policy.
Programme GDS-Index 2022
Through the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau (OTM NCA), the Nice Côte d’Azur metropolitan area has joined the international Global Destination Sustainability (GDS) Index 2022 programme.
Nice Côte d’Azur is thus committed to continuing to improve its environmental policy by integrating the 2026, 2030 and 2050 objectives of the “Territorial Climate Air and Energy Plan” into its future projects. This plan is built around various environmental and eco-responsibility axes, such as reducing emissions and improving air quality.
Within the framework of the GDS-Index programme, the OTM NCA will thus ensure that it accompanies the tourist actors present in the territory in their sustainable transition and raises awareness among visitors on subjects such as ecology, diversity, equity and inclusion.
Through the global environmental, societal and economic challenges, the voluntary approach of joining the GDS-Index programme translates the strong commitments of OTM NCA to implement concrete actions on a daily basis and to position Nice Côte d’Azur as a growing French destination on the international scene of sustainability and regenerative tourism.
The implementation of labels within the Visitors Bureau
By creating or adhering to labels, the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau (OTM NCA) wanted to offer real clarity on the city’s assets for dedicated customers. This choice of labels allows for a structuring of the offer and a permanent control of its quality.
Cuisine Nissarde Label
In order to promote local culture, the OTM NCA manages the “Cuisine Nissarde” label. This label rewards establishments that respect traditional Nissard recipes and ensure the quality of the products offered.
Nice, naturally irisdescent Label
In a logic of openness and social mix, the label “Nice, naturally iridescent” set up by the OTM NCA allows the associated establishments to demonstrate their commitment to inclusion with regard to LGBTQ+ customers.
Famille Plus Label
Several towns in the Nice Côte d’Azur metropolitan area have been awarded the national “Famille Plus” label. The OTM NCA lists the specific quality offer totally dedicated to the family clientele and the service providers who offer a personalised welcome to families and activities adapted to all ages.
Pet Friendly Label
In 2021 and 2022, the magazine “30 millions d’amis” ranked Nice as the first French city (+100,000 inhabitants) where it is good to live with your dog. As part of the city’s policy on animal welfare, the NCA MTO created the “Pet Friendly” label in 2022. It corresponds to the growing demand of visitors travelling with their pets and enriches the quality tourist offer, always in line with the public’s expectations.
Help in obtaining the Eco-Challenge Label
The Nice Côte d’Azur Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI), another important player in the Metropolitan area’s sustainable transition, is also proposing to help shopkeepers and craftsmen obtain the “Eco-Challenge” label. The latter is based on six distinct pillars: waste management, water use, energy, sustainable purchasing, mobility and social responsibility.
Transition Forum
An international economic forum held annually in Nice, Transition Forum aims to be the world’s leading platform for the transition to clean technologies in all sectors.
Back to the 2022 edition
The latest IPCC report warns that the next three years will be crucial for reversing the curve of our greenhouse gas emissions in order to limit the effects of climate change. The ecological transition, a climatic, social and economic issue, but also one of sovereignty and democracy on a European scale, must be the subject of an unprecedented mobilisation. It is time to accelerate.
It is this acceleration that was at the heart of this new edition of the Transition Forum, on 29 and 30 September 2022 in Nice, organised by the Transition Forum association, the Nice Côte d’Azur metropolitan area and La Tribune.
On this occasion, hundreds of leaders of initiatives for the acceleration of the ecological transition, from all over Europe, led and participated in these two days based on 4 sequences – moving, housing, feeding, producing and consuming – and dedicated to concrete projects for the transition towards carbon neutrality. More than a hundred business leaders and decision-makers from the world of politics and research debated around twenty round tables during more than 20 hours of live coverage.
