Abstract
Spatial claims concerning the rapidly growing European offshore wind sector give rise to various ideas for the multi-use application of wind farms. Seaweed is considered a promising feedstock for food and feed that could be produced at offshore wind farms. Concerns about risks resulting in liability claims and insurance premiums are often seen as show-stoppers to multi-use at offshore wind farms. In this study, key environmental risks of seaweed cultivation at offshore wind farms, identified through literature review, are characterized based on stakeholder consultation. The current approach to risk governance is evaluated to assess how it can handle the uncertain, complex, and/or ambiguous risks of multi-use. It is concluded that current risk governance for multi-use is poorly equipped to deal with the systemic nature of risks. Risk governance should be a joint effort of governments and private regulators. It can improve if it is based on an adaptive framework for risk assessment that can deal with complex, systemic risks. Furthermore, it should be flexible and inclusive, i.e., open to new incoming information and , stakeholder input, and taking take into account and communicate about the different stakes and values of the various parties involved. The importance of communication and inclusion must be recognized, which promotes participation of concerned stakeholders.
Highlights
The rapid growth of offshore wind farms in the North Sea and the resulting claim for ocean space drive interest for the multi-use of these wind farms (Stuiver et al, 2016; Legorburu et al, 2018)
The main question is: What type of risk governance is needed to cope with the risks of multi-use at sea? The following sub-questions are identified: 1. Which environmental risks are of concern? (Section “Which Risks Are of Concern to Respondents?”)
In order to identify what type of risk governance is suitable to cope with the risks of multi-use at sea, we identified risks of multi-use, studied how these risks are currently dealt with, and evaluated existing regulations with stakeholders
Summary
The rapid growth of offshore wind farms in the North Sea and the resulting claim for ocean space drive interest for the multi-use of these wind farms (Stuiver et al, 2016; Legorburu et al, 2018). Among the studied multi-use initiatives with offshore wind is that with seaweed cultivation (Wever et al, 2015; Jansen et al, 2016). The further development of multi-use combinations offshore does, pose risks for the environment, human health, along with food and feed safety (Michler-Cieluch et al, 2009; Wever et al, 2015). Since seaweed cultivation offshore in a multi-use setting is still being developed, it is not clear how various safety aspects should be governed, i.e., addressed, assessed, and managed. Respondents were selected (a) because they had practical experience in the sectors concerned and (b) to represented a variety of backgrounds including seaweed cultivators, offshore wind sector and certification agencies. A survey was developed to collect information on relevant private and public standards for the seaweed sector (see Supplementary Materials). Results from the survey are not presented separately but shown as additional expert inputs along with the results from the qualitative interviews
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