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Sigrid Schutz, professor at the Faculty of Law, UiB, and leader of theÌýResearch Group on Natural resource law, Environmental law and Development lawÌýÌýwill present the DeWindSea project the 12th of November.Ìý

Abstract:ÌýOffshore wind farms (OWFs) in the North Sea Basin have great potential to significantly increase the share of renewable energy consumption, and thereby contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, job-creation, industry development and enhanced competiveness may follow from the establishment of OWFs. ÌýThis type of ‘blue growth’ in the North Sea can contribute towards achieving the 2030 target for several of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Ìý— Affordable and clean energy (SDG 7), Industry, innovation and infrastructure (SDG 9) and Climate action (SDG 13) — as well as towards meeting the EU/EEA Member State’s renewable energy quota.

Synergies between these and other SDGs is evident, as is the potential for conflicts and trade-offs. The impact of OWFs stress ecology, affecting Life below water (SDG 14). OWFs could displace conflicting or alternative uses of marine space, such as fisheries or aquaculture, harming goals such as Zero hunger (SDG 2) and Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3). It could also displace other climate mitigation technologies, such as offshore Carbon Capture Storage (CCS).

The objective of the project Designing a Refined Legal Framework for Offshore Wind in the North Sea Basin (DeWindSea) is to bring up-to-date insights on technology potentials for offshore wind together with research on the legal and societal challenges associated with offshore wind development. The purpose is to support the design of a refined, efficient and adequate legal framework for offshore wind in the North Sea Basin in general, and in Norway in particular. The project will collect and analyze data on public perception and acceptance of offshore wind and related infrastructure and analyze legal challenges from large-scale wind projects in the North Sea Basin in the framework of technical options and public perception and acceptance.

The seminarÌýwill be heldÌýfrom 12:15 to 13:00 (we open the doors at 12:00), at Rom 614, SV-bygget, Fosswinckelsgate 6, Bergen. As always it is free and open toÌýall interested parties, so bring your lunch and join us for an interesting presentation followed by aÌýQ&A session.