Offshore wind energy is a cornerstone of Europe’s energy transition, but how does it actually affect marine ecosystems? In this talk, you are guided through the current state of scientific knowledge on the environmental impacts of offshore wind farms, based on the most comprehensive evidence available.
The presentation draws on a large, systematic review of international research, synthesising results from more than 160 primary studies examining how offshore wind activities influence marine species and ecosystems. You will gain insight into which impacts are well documented, where the science points to negative, positive or ambiguous effects, and—just as importantly—where significant knowledge gaps still remain.
With a clear and structured approach, the talk explains how different offshore wind activities, such as foundation installation, noise, and habitat creation, interact with ecosystem components like fish, marine mammals and benthic organisms. It also introduces a transparent method for assessing the strength and consistency of scientific evidence, helping decision‑makers understand not just outcomes, but the certainty behind them.
This session is highly relevant for engineers, planners, consultants and decision‑makers working with offshore wind, marine environments or sustainability. You will leave with a nuanced, evidence‑based perspective that supports informed planning and responsible development of offshore wind infrastructure.
