![Words of Eco-Logia – 21st May 2026
Welcome to a new weekly column of Eco-Logia!
EPISODE 7: What does Urban Functional Biodiversity refer to?
How do you feel when you come into contact with the green spaces of your city? Maybe more relaxed, regenerated and energetic! it is not by chance. #Urban Functional #Biodiversity is about various natural #species and their specific functional traits (e.g., nitrogen fixation, pollination, water retention) that maintain #ecosystems and provide essential #services in heavily populated areas. Boosting #climate regulation, favouring flood #control, reducing #pollution, providing recreational spaces and improving human #wellbeing, resilience and health are some of the most significant #benefits they generate.
Being inspired by #Nature’s balance helps #architects, #designers and urban #planners to select vegetation able to optimises specific ecological functions, such as #water infiltration or biodiversity support. Integrating interconnected #green spaces (e.g.: parks, green roofs) and #blue spaces (ponds, wetlands) promotes #habitat connectivity and strengthens urban biodiversity. Moreover, engaging local residents and stakeholders in the planning and management of urban nature, encourages a shared vision of the development of densely inhabited areas, boosting mental and physical health.
Main Strategies for Enhancing Urban Functional Biodiversity are:
· Biodiversity-Sensitive Design]: that is integrating native, multi-functional plant species into urban design, including vertical gardens and green roofs.
· Ecological Restoration: that is actively restoring urban green and blue spaces to enhance habitat diversity and ecological function.
· Inclusive Governance: that is engaging local residents and stakeholders in the planning and management of urban nature.
🎬 Editing, Layout and Contents by: © MonacoEcoArt](https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/704041748_18591891829048354_6937176257147723648_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=100&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0xJUFMuYmVzdF9pbWFnZV91cmxnZW4uQzMifQ%3D%3D&_nc_ohc=izxRRK0OQOYQ7kNvwFnxLqz&_nc_oc=AdrMgCxRqKpqvTB0158qOxtZMoZR4fX6NxARc05OozT9X6sh9I5M3v7orSnqyETG6gQ&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=NlLyeGNmPu36693rXjykyg&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQE7NS6ZWNg9REjpAy1LPZag1zRtaTWp59sJ1W25k_-b36NscOBZnwBqkImmoqg08D1_l7AXko9-&oh=00_Af8Rbyy82tkirxE3O5XkVCf3NoWqjeCZ6B-gDMHkQ8yK0w&oe=6A342502)
The Monaco Ocean Protection Challenge promotes net-positive entrepreneurship.
- M Abti
- May 12, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: May 16, 2025
The need to address global environmental challenges has never been more urgent. And emerging entrepreneurs and startups can play a prior role in accelerating the sustainability transformation to scale a positive impact towards the economic transition. The 8th edition of The Monaco Ocean Protection Challenge - MOPC will take place on the 14th May 2025 at the Grand Finale hosted in the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco. The initiative aims at highlighting smart students and business persons capable to leave a mark on Ocean Preservation in the short or medium term.
The 2025 edition, under the joining auspices of the International University of Monaco, the Oceanographic Institute, the Prince Albert I of Monaco Foundation, Monaco Impact and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, saw a great participation of candidates at global level as a result of the extensive network of MOPC incubators.
The International Jury, selected six finalist teams for each of the three categories in competition. The finalists, chosen among 138 teams coming from 129 universities worldwide, representing sixty-six nationalities, will be allowed to showcase their projects at the event.
The following finalists have been selected in the Business Concepts category:
Cool Equity (India) = providing sustainable financial mechanisms.
Invent.io (South Corea) = focused on high tech sustainable devices.
Izalgue (France) = specialised in transforming algae into a bio-based building material.
The following finalists have been selected in the Start-ups category:
Aruna revolution health Inc. (Canada) = centred on environmentally-friendly menstrual pads able to mitigate the climate effects.
MolluSCAN-eye (France) = developing a high-tech water quality bio-monitoring system through the use of oysters and other bivalves.
Rongbient Biotech (Singapore) = solving carbon emission by integrating seaweed cultivation technology in shrimp farming as a polyculture model.
The MOPC is a privileged stage where to value Blue and Circular Economy nature-based solutions.
The Innov&Sea company reached the podium in the last-edition MOPC Start-up category, combining innovation and the promotion of sustainable products to protect human and other living beings health. This French business body, that is increasing its visibility in France and at international level after the MOPC recognition and the Bpifrance i-Lab innovation award, promotes a unique in-vitro eco-toxicity tests for cosmetic products in order to check their footprint. By examining the reaction of these substances to marine environments, laboratory tests on live animals are avoided. Moreover, bio-surveillance tools have been implemented for public and industrial use to contribute to ocean preservation, fighting against industrial discharge and wastewater.
The Ocean Twist Biotechnology company (former Ittinsect), being given the 2021 MOPC Audience Award, will attend this year's edition as a special guest. Alessandro Romano, CEO of this cutting-edge Italian company, is going to give a keynote speech at the opening of the Grand Finale, focusing on his success story, from business concept to the start-up creation and the follow-up. This biotech actor is developing knowledge to produce feed for aquaculture made of insects and other raw materials instead of wild fresh fish. Thanks to a strategic partnership with Eni, a pioneering multinational company founded in Italy in 1953, Ocean Twist will be able to convert 700,000 tons of biofuel residues into ingredients with high nutritional value.
Not by chance, the 2025 MOPC offers a strategic preview on the upcoming Blue Economy and Finance Forum - BEFF, that will be held in Monaco on the 7th and the 8th June 2025, and the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference - UNOC3, set in Nice and co-organised by France and Costa Rica. The private sector is crucial to accelerate the transition between a business-as-usual model and a blue generative economy, fuelled by environmental finance, green technology and sustainable governance.
Since its creation in 2018, The Monaco Ocean Protection Challenge - MOPC has been fostering a new eco-responsible business class, expressing the conviction that raising awareness on ocean threats passes through the young entrepreneurs' creative vision addressed to the conservation of natural ecosystems. ***
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By Maurice Abbati
Journalist; Editor; Communication, Media and Public Relations Specialist
Lecturer and Author in English language of Technical Articles and the Manual: "Communicating the Environment to Save the Planet, a Journey into Eco-Communication" by Springer International Publishing.
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