A new study shows that dedicating a small fraction of offshore wind investments can restore crucial marine ecosystems, enhance biodiversity and provide substantial societal returns.
Offshore wind farms present a unique opportunity to not only generate clean energy but also play a pivotal role in restoring vulnerable marine ecosystems. This finding comes from an international team of scientists whose research was recently published in the journal BioScience.
As the world grapples with the dual challenges of environmental degradation and a growing demand for renewable energy, the study highlights a promising path forward.
According to the research, allocating just 1% of global offshore wind investments until 2050 could fund the restoration of millions of hectares of crucial marine environments, including coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass meadows and oyster reefs.
“Offshore wind has a unique opportunity to not only support the energy transition but also become the first marine industry to make a net-positive contribution to large-scale ecosystem restoration,” lead author Christiaan van Sluis, of The Rich North Sea, said in a news release.
He emphasized the importance of “embedding smart biodiversity requirements in offshore wind licensing and tendering procedures now” to reverse biodiversity loss with minimal investment.
The study underscores the multifaceted benefits of restoring marine ecosystems.
Healthy seas and coastal habitats play a crucial role in absorbing carbon, protecting shorelines and supporting fish populations. Financially, the returns on investment in ecosystem restoration are compelling, with every dollar spent potentially yielding $2 to $12 in societal benefits.
The timing of the study is particularly salient as the offshore wind sector is poised for substantial growth. From 56 gigawatts in 2021, the sector is expected to scale up to 2,000 gigawatts by 2050.
“If we structurally integrate marine restoration into this expansion, we can actually meet our biodiversity targets,” Van Sluis added.
The researchers urge governments to incorporate marine restoration as a standard policy requirement in offshore wind projects. This could be achieved by setting aside a fixed percentage of project investments specifically for marine biodiversity through licensing conditions or tendering processes.
Countries like the Netherlands, Denmark and the UK have already established tendering systems conducive to integrating biodiversity criteria. An internationally coordinated approach could ensure economies of scale and prevent marine ecosystems from becoming collateral damage in price-driven decision-making processes.
“At Van Oord, nature-inclusive design and construction is a key theme. Including non-price criteria in tenders has worked well in several Dutch projects. The time is right to scale up marine restoration in the global rollout of offshore wind,” added Karen Vennik, commercial director offshore energy and ocean health at Van Oord.
The study was conducted under the Rich North Sea program by Natuur & Milieu (Nature & Environment) and the North Sea Foundation. The program aims to demonstrate that offshore wind development can complement marine nature enhancement.
Supported by the Dutch Postcode Lottery, the initiative collaborates with energy companies, wind farm owners and scientists to advance biodiversity in offshore wind farms.
The Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ), the national oceanographic research center of the Netherlands, also contributed to the study. NIOZ focuses on understanding marine systems, their role in climate and biodiversity, and developing sustainable solutions for society.
By turning a fraction of offshore wind investments towards marine restoration, the global community has a tangible path to achieving essential biodiversity and climate goals. The study provides a hopeful and actionable roadmap for the future of both renewable energy and marine conservation.