Nature Positive Role of the Offshore Wind Sector

(especially those involved in mining and metals and the manufacturing of components used in offshore wind) are highly dependent on freshwater resources, and moderately dependent on water flow maintenance and filtration services. A functioning wind turbine and its foundation comprise 8,000 parts in total. The foundation and tower are predominantly made of steel, though concrete is sometimes used. The blades are composed of fibreglass, resin or plastics. Copper, aluminium and rare earth metals are also essential components.77,78 The expansion of offshore wind will necessitate large quantities of these raw materials,79 which typically require significant amounts of freshwater for their mining process.80 These dependencies strengthen the case for investing in nature protection and restoration to build sustainable, responsible and resilient supply chains and ensure the long-term viability of the business model. Offshore wind companies should avoid or mitigate the following nature-related impacts that are material in their direct operations and value chains. Top drivers of nature loss in the offshore wind sector and its value chain TABLE 2 UpstreamMidstream (direct operations)Downstream Ocean and land use change Disturbances Pollution Resource exploitation Greenhouse gas emissions Pressure materiality rating (ENCORE): High Medium Note: This analysis is based on the pressure materiality rating from ENCORE and the SBTN sectoral materiality tool (SMT), following the IPBES’s top drivers of nature loss and substantiated by literature review and consultation with business, civil society and academia. Analysis focuses on medium to high materiality. Conduct company-specific assessment of impacts and dependencies BOX 2 The analysis of impacts and dependencies presented in Chapter 2 is a sector-average analysis for companies in the offshore wind sector, but company-specific impacts and dependencies will vary according to their activities, supply chains and operational locations. Companies will need to conduct assessments to locate their interface with nature and evaluate their impacts and dependencies using company-specific operational and supply chain information. TNFD’s LEAP approach,81 as well as the SBTN’s step 1 (assess)82 and step 2 (prioritize)83 are useful frameworks to guide companies through their own assessments. The full methodology and results of thi s sector-average assessment can be found in the Appendix. Nature Positive: Role of the Offshore Wind Sector 20