Ocean report: Offshore wind can provide significant contribution to CO2 mitigation
Offshore wind energy has the largest CO2 mitigation potential of all ocean based renewable energy sources a new study from the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy finds
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, published 23 September, 2019 at the U.N. Secretary-General鈥檚 Climate Action Summit in New York, finds that the ocean economy and coastal regions could play a much bigger role in shrinking the world鈥檚 carbon footprint and limiting global temperature rise to 1.5掳C than previously realized.
One of the 5 opportunities outlined in the study is harnessing ocean-based renewable energy. The largest contribution herein comes from offshore wind energy.
鈥淥ffshore wind energy has the advantage that it is more technologically ready than for instance wave power. The technology is there, all we need is to scale up today鈥檚 technology and this will in turn reduce costs and stimulate further technology development鈥� says Head of and co-author of the report, Finn Gunnar Nielsen.
The report also came with a signed by world leaders from 14 countries amongst them Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg.
Large potential for CO2 mitigation
The study finds that if today鈥檚 energy mix is replaced by offshore wind it can contribute to a reduction of 0.11 Gigatonnes of CO2 each year by 2030 and up to 1.61 Gigatonnes of CO2 each year by 2050. The 2050 number is equivalent to 39% of the emissions from the EU in 2018.
听鈥淭he High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy鈥檚 report has revealed that within the ocean-based renewable energy sub sector offshore wind energy is the one with the greatest contribution potential for climate change mitigation.鈥� says Peter Haugan, professor at the Geophysical Institute, University of Bergen and Programme director at the . Haugan is Co-chair of the HLP expert group.
Still a discussion on cost in Norway
Offshore wind has been widely discussed in Norway. Only within the last two weeks offshore wind has been a topic on conferences like Science Meets Industry Bergen, , and also at the High Profile Meeting on offshore wind in Bergen.
鈥淚 wish the discussion would turn from the cost per kWh to how much CO2 emissions we save鈥�, says Finn Gunnar Nielsen.
He adds: 鈥淚 hope this report will contribute to accelerate the process as both the industry and researchers are clear on that we need to start now if we want to ensure Norway鈥檚 position as a key player in the offshore wind industry鈥�.
Source: Hoegh-Guldberg. O., et al. 2019. 鈥樷�楾he Ocean as a Solution to Climate Change: Five Opportunities for Action.鈥欌�� Report. Washington, DC: World Resources Institute. Available online at
Facts: High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy
- Established in September 2018, the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy is a unique group of 14 serving heads of state and government committed to catalyzing bold, pragmatic solutions for ocean health and wealth that support the SDGs and build a better future for people and planet.
- The Panel consists of the presidents or prime ministers of Australia, Canada, Chile, Fiji, Ghana, Indonesia, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Namibia, Norway, Palau and Portugal. Its members represent approximately 30% of the world鈥檚 coastlines, 30% of the world鈥檚 exclusive economic zones, 20% of the world鈥檚 ocean catch, and 20% of the world鈥檚 shipping fleet.
- The Panel is supported by an , and Secretariat that assist with analytical work, communications and stakeholder engagement. The Secretariat is based at .
Report: The Ocean as a Solution for Climate Change: 5 Opportunities for Action听
- Convening lead author: Ove Hoegh-Guldberg
- Expert authors: Ken Caldeira, Thierry Chopin, Steve Gaines, Peter Haugan, Mark Hemer, Jennifer Howard, Manaswita Konar, Dorte Krause-Jensen, Elizabeth Lindstad, Catherine E. Lovelock, Mark Michelin, Finn Gunnar Nielsen, Eliza Northrop, Robert Parker, Joyashree Roy, Tristan Smith, Shreya Some,and Peter Tyedmers
- The chapter on Ocean-Based Renewable Energy is written by Finn Gunnar Nielsen, Peter Haugan and .
