With the goal of Europe becoming climate neutral by 2050, the European marine space allocated to wind energy will multiply by 15. At the same time, European Union member countries have obligations towards achieving Natura 2000 objectives and the Marine Strategy Framework Objective. As offshore wind energy expands in Europe, maritime planners need to increasingly consider the potential effects of these activities on Natura 2000 sites and other types of marine protected areas (MPAs). The goal of this paper is to critically review the development of offshore wind energy within Mediterranean Natura 2000 sites and other MPA types, taking as example the western Mediterranean Sea, where most of the offshore wind developments have been proposed. In order to open discussion on offshore wind energy policy in Mediterranean MPAs, and guide ecological research that supports holistic decisions of OWF implementation in the region, we (i) outline the context of Natura 2000 and other MPA policy in the Mediterranean for OWF development, (ii) summarize the potential impacts of OWF on EU-protected habitats and species, (iii) assess the interaction of OWF, Natura 2000 sites and other types of MPAs, and (iv) propose recommendations to approach OWF development in the Mediterranean to safeguard Natura 2000 sites  and other MPAs. Although this study is focused in the western Mediterranean, lessons learned can be also useful for other areas of the Mediterranean and other European seas.

Primary Presenter: Josep LLORET, University of Girona (josep.lloret@udg.edu)

Authors:

Paul Wawrzynkowski, University of Girona  ()

Alberto Olivares, International University of La Rioja  ()

Elisa Berdalet, Institute of Marine Sciences (CSIC)  ()

Josep Maria Gili, Institute of Marine Sciences (CSIC)  ()

Laura Amorós, University of Girona  ()

Jordi Solé, University of Barcelona  ()

Rafael Sardá, Centre d'Estudis Avançats de Blanes (CSIC)  ()

Josep Vila, University of Girona  ()

Carlos Domínguez, University of the Azores  ()

Climent Molins, Polytechnical University of Catalonia  ()

Antonio Turiel, Institute of Marine Sciences (CSIC)  ()

Ana Sabatés, Institute of Marine Sciences (CSIC)  ()