Preface: the WinMon.BE 2013 conference: steps towards an efficient and effective offshore wind farm environmental impact assessment

Abstract

The race for a timely combat of climate change through the reduction of greenhouse gasses such as carbon dioxide has pushed renewable energy developments to a higher echelon. At present, wind is one of the most profitable sources of exploitable renewable energy. Wind farms are popping up at many places worldwide. Their expansion on land, however is constrained, because sites where wind farms do not conflict with the high-quality environmental standards of the local community are limited. Being uninhabited, the marine environment offers a vast area for wind farm development. Being uninhabited, however, does not equal not being subject to impact. The sea and oceans host rich ecosystems, many of which have and continue to deliver priceless and indispensable goods and services to mankind. Offshore wind farm development is hence subject to environmental impact assessment and residual impacts should be carefully monitored. Most, if not all, current offshore wind farms are accompanied by an environmental monitoring programme. These programmes should be considered the ‘finger on the pulse’ to avoid surpassing critical impact levels. They further ensure the achievement of the knowledge base needed to adjust new developments in a scientifically and environmentally sensitive and sound manner. On 26–28 November 2013, the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences organised the international scientific WinMon.BE 2013 conference on ‘‘Environmental impacts of offshorewind farms: learning from the past to optimise future monitoring programmes’’ (http:// odnature.naturalsciences.be/winmonbe2013).During the Guest editors: Steven Degraer, Jennifer Dannheim, Andrew B. Gill, Han Lindeboom & Dan Wilhelmsson / Environmental impacts of offshore wind farms