Delivering the European Green Deal - towards a coherent and integrated EU ocean policy framework for offshore renewable wind energy and biodiversity

The European Green Deal (EGD) sets comprehensive objectives and targets for the use and protection of oceans. Achieving these ocean-related objectives is challenging due to complex, multi-sector, and multilevel governance landscapes. This roundtable discusses the role of policy coherence and institutional integration in delivering the EGD, focusing on offshore wind energy and biodiversity. The first results of two Horizon Europe research projects (CrossGov and PERMAGOV), which study the complexities of EU marine governance under the EGD, are presented to develop a coherent and integrated EU ocean policy framework. Insights from EU policymakers and scientific research within these projects aim to enhance the integration and coherence between offshore renewable energy and biodiversity goals. This roundtable is relevant for policymakers, stakeholders, and researchers involved in EU marine governance.

Key Points
European Green Deal objectives: Comprehensive targets for oceans, including climate neutrality and biodiversity.
Policy coherence: Critical for integrating offshore wind energy and biodiversity, considering complex governance landscapes.
Offshore wind energy: Expansion goals set, with a significant role in energy transition and security.
Biodiversity: Protection through policies like the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) and Birds and Habitats Directive.
Research projects: CrossGov and PERMAGOV projects explore marine governance under EGD.
Diagnostic tools: Developed to identify and assess institutional barriers in marine governance.
Regional cooperation: Emphasized for effective MSP, involving EU and non-EU countries.
Innovation and stakeholder engagement: Crucial for sustainable offshore energy deployment and marine biodiversity protection.

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Speakers

Introduction:

Froukje Maria Platjouw, Senior Researcher at Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA)
Judith van Leeuwen, Associated Professor at the Environmental Policy Group at Wageningen University

Panel debate:

Eloïse Couffon, Policy Officer at the Directorate General for Energy of the European Commission
Antonia Leroy, Head of Ocean Policy at WWF European Policy Office
Celine Frank, Policy Officer on Maritime Spatial Planning and the Blue Economy Sectors, DG MARE, European Commission
Alice Belin, Policy officer, Directorate-General for Environment (DG ENV), European Commission

Moderator

Thorjørn Larssen, Deputy Managing Director of The Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA) and leader of the European Topic Centre on Biodiversity and Ecosystems, a partnership with the European Environment Agency (EEA)

Talking points

Welcome and Introduction: Thorjørn Larssen, moderator, sets the stage, highlighting the importance of policy coherence for the EGD.
CrossGov and PermaGov Projects: Judith and Fraukje introduce the projects, focusing on navigating marine governance complexities under the EGD.
Offshore Renewables: Eloïse Couffon discusses the role of offshore renewables in tackling climate and biodiversity crises.
Nature-Friendly Deployment: Antonia Leroy emphasizes the potential for nature-friendly offshore wind energy deployment.
Good Environmental Status: Alice Belin explains how achieving Good Environmental Status (GES) contributes to sustainable sea use and policy coherence.
Maritime Spatial Planning: Céline Frank elaborates on how MSP can support Green Deal objectives for biodiversity and offshore renewables.
Q&A Session: Panelists address audience questions on regional cooperation, stakeholder engagement, and balancing wind energy with biodiversity.

The roundtable debate series "Key Issues in EU Climate and Sustainability Governance" delves into pressing issues surrounding climate and sustainability governance in the context of the European Green Deal. Each debate offers a platform for exchanging unique perspectives, featuring a diverse panel of experts and stakeholders, including policymakers, researchers, civil society and industry representatives.