QUADRAT

The need to decrease carbon emissions urgently and dramatically is high on scientific political, and societal agendas. Extraction of energy from offshore renewable energy sources is seen as a key measure to achieving this decrease in carbon emission. To achieve the EU Green Deal vision, the amount of installed offshore renewable energy generating capability in European must increase 30-fold compared to current installed capacity. However, in the rush to develop and install new offshore renewable energy devices across the European sea basins, we cannot ignore the potential environmental and societal impacts that they could have. This document highlights which steps need to be taken to ensure that the expansion of this sector is managed sustainably, responsibly and equitably.

Professor Scott said: “I am delighted to see the publication of this report which has been a real collaborative effort with scientists from across Europe.  The document presents a clear outline to policy makers of what needs to be addressed to achieve the EU Green Deal.”

The document presents the technical, environmental, and socioeconomic state of the art of the offshore renewable sector, with a focus on European development. It presents the key knowledge, research, and capacity gaps that must be addressed to ensure sustainable delivery of the EU Green Deal and closes with key policy, research, capacity, and data recommendations to take the sector forward.

The publication is available here and a news release from the EMB can be found here.