Nature Positive Role of the Offshore Wind Sector

Foreword Ocean renewable energy is key to meeting the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting global warming to 1.5ºC. As the most mature ocean-based energy technology, the large-scale expansion of offshore wind is critically needed to tackle climate change and yield benefits for communities and beyond. At the same time, this expansion will lead to a growing use of marine space and increasing interactions with marine ecosystems. Since 196 parties agreed on the landmark Kunming- Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework in 2022, the case for integrated action across climate and nature has never been clearer. This leaves us with a very important question: how can we accelerate the rollout of offshore wind for the clean energy transition while ensuring it is positive for ocean health and contributes to nature recovery? Understanding the environmental impact of our actions is essential to enabling offshore wind energy to coexist with nature. Our dedicated bioscience team at Vattenfall conducts ongoing environmental research and development, including crucial environmental impact assessments and mitigation, and enhancement strategies during offshore wind farm development and operation. Mitigation strategies, such as using bubble curtains around monopile installations, can reduce underwater noise that harms marine life. Additionally, increasing wind turbine blade visibility has proven effective in reducing bird collisions onshore and is now tested offshore. We continue to test nature enhancement and nature-inclusive design methodologies (such as habitat creation within turbine foundations at our sites in the Netherlands) in collaboration with national non-governmental organizations and academic institutions. Early results show promising signs of ecological benefits. But no single company can do this alone. Only through collective action, positive policy and financial shifts can we make meaningful progress in tackling the intertwined climate and biodiversity crises. This requires a transformation of business operations that have nature and communities at heart. This report outlines the actions the offshore wind sector must take to transform business models towards a nature-positive approach. This includes a diligent application of the mitigation hierarchy across the project life cycle, responsible sourcing across the value chain, investment in nature-based solutions and innovation in product design that reduces material demand. The transition will not be easy. It requires closer collaboration, not only within the offshore wind sector, but also with other ocean-dependent industries, governments, local communities and civil society. Our industry is in a strong position to become a major driving force in achieving global climate and biodiversity goals, inspiring others to follow. Each of our organizations must therefore act on the recommendations put forward in the report. My colleagues at Vattenfall and I have already started this journey, and we invite our peers to do the same. Helene Biström Senior Vice-President, Head, Business Area Wind; Member, Executive Group Management, Vattenfall Nature Positive: Role of the Offshore Wind SectorJanuary 2025 Nature Positive: Role of the Offshore Wind Sector 3