Abstract
The Renewable Grid Initiative (RGI) commissioned a discussion paper in order to explore the intricate dynamics of offshore wind co-location with Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and other activities at sea.
At the core of this paper and RGI's mission is the recognition of offshore wind's crucial role in delivering the energy transition and addressing the climate crisis. Simultaneously, it underscores the imperative to tackle the biodiversity crisis and the urgency of contributing to the biodiversity targets.
As a result, the paper investigates the vital need, and the options, to ensure that wind developments align harmoniously with nature, but also communities, and concurrent activities. Rather than advocating for a definitive position, it serves as a repository of accumulated knowledge, pinpointing gaps that require attention.
Among others, it emphasises the ongoing necessity for large-scale testing and monitoring of the promising practices conducted by the wind industry in collaboration with academia, NGOs, and other stakeholders, and implementing adaptive management strategies based on their results.