Baltic ministers endorse closer collaboration to ramp up offshore energy - where does nature fit?
Yesterday, foreign affairs ministers from 8 EU Baltic Sea States* signed a declaration [1] emphasizing the need to tackle energy security challenges together, through practical cooperation but WWF and the Coalition Clean Baltic underline that nature must still be considered.
The declaration, adopted during the CBSS Baltic Offshore Wind Forum, builds upon previous commitments for a cooperative, regional approach to strengthen energy security and rapidly expand offshore renewable energy in the Baltic Sea. The ambition is to have at least 19.6 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030 - an ambitious sevenfold increase compared to the previous 2.8 GW.[2][3] The European Commission estimates that in the Baltic Sea alone, the potential for offshore wind power is 93 GW.[4] On one hand, this is an important step forward toward an energy-resilient and climate-neutral Europe. On the other hand, countries have also committed to meet global and EU biodiversity targets including protecting 30% of seas by 2030. Energy and biodiversity targets may come into conflict, if offshore renewable energy developments are not carefully planned.
All infrastructure, even renewable infrastructure, has an environmental impact which must be considered. However, there are opportunities for offshore wind to go beyond emissions reduction and apply measures that can not only minimise environmental risks but potentially contribute to the enhancement of ecosystems. To make sure nature stays a priority in the face of rapid development – clear guidance for offshore renewables planning is needed.
A set of new guidelines [5] has been proposed by WWF and the Coalition Clean Baltic which includes a roadmap for effectively incorporating nature into the planning and identification of areas for developing offshore renewable energy in the Baltic Sea.
“Increasing offshore renewable energy is a very important step towards decarbonisaton, energy independence and security. However, reaching climate and energy ambitions cannot come at the expense of nature. We need joint actions and proper planning to allow protection and restoration of our marine ecosystems, which are much needed actions in the Baltic Sea," says Andrea Cervantes, CCB Biodiversity Officer.
“There is no doubt we need more offshore renewable energy in the Baltic Sea, and we welcome closer transnational collaboration to help achieve this, but nature must be included in the careful planning of this expansion. This is the only way to ensure we meet both energy and environmental targets," explains Johanna Fox, Director of the WWF Baltic Ecoregion Programme.
*Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Sweden (plus Iceland and Norway).
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NOTES:
[1]
Berlin Declaration on Baltic Offshore Wind by CBSS Foreign Ministers - 9 May 2023
adopted at the
CBSS Baltic Offshore Wind Forum.
[3] Baltic Sea countries strengthen cooperation on energy security and expansion of renewables
[4] Study on Baltic offshore wind energy cooperation under BEMIP
[5] WWF and Coalition Clean Baltic guidelines for planning offshore renewable energy in the Baltic Sea
WWF Baltic Ecoregion Programme - Is an ambitious and highly influential force working to conserve and restore the health of the Baltic Sea. The programme is comprised of WWF and NGO partners in each of the nine coastal Baltic Sea countries. Representing the region’s largest membership network, the programme’s approach has been to work with public and private sector partners toward ensuring a healthy, productive Baltic Sea through sustainable, ecosystem-based management. More info at:
www.wwfbaltic.org
Coalition Clean Baltic (CCB)
- Is a politically independent, non-profit association, which unites 27 NGOs, with over 1 500 000 members in all countries around the Baltic Sea. The main goal of CCB is to promote the protection and improvement of the Baltic Sea environment and its natural resources for present and future generations. More info at:
www.ccb.se
CONTACT:
Hannah Griffiths Berggren
Communications officer, WWF Baltic Ecoregion Programme
hannah.griffiths.berggren@wwf.se
+46851511483
Federica Pastore
Communication Officer, Coalition Clean Baltic
federica.pastore@ccb.se
