The development of offshore renewable energy in Europe yields ambiguous results, the European Court of Auditors warns in a new report. EU action and money have contributed to the development of ‘blue energy’ in pursuit of the bloc’s climate and energy objectives. But the EU may fall short of its ambitions, the auditors say, while […]
The Crown Estate has set out further details on its plans for Offshore Wind Leasing Round 5, which aims to establish new floating offshore wind technology off the coast of Wales and South West England. This latest update follows a period of engagement with developers and wider stakeholders on proposals set out in July over […]
The 2023 State of Nature report shows that the abundance of species studied in the UK has declined by 19 per cent on average since records began in 1970. But while the most important natural habitats are in poor condition, work to protect landscapes has clear benefits for nature, people and climate. The State of […]
A new reef the size of a football pitch has been created in the North Sea as a home for 10,000 native oysters in a conservation project. The Wild Oysters Project has seen 10,000 of them added by hand to the reef, which is a mile off Sunderland, and was made from 750 tonnes of local stone […]
Fair Seas has published the results of its first Ocean Literacy Survey which highlights that 76% of Irish people believe “lack of political will to protect or manage the ocean effectively” is the greatest threat to Ireland’s seas. Almost 1,300 people provided their views on their relationship with the sea and a range of issues. Some […]
Britain has given the go-ahead for one of its biggest new oil and gas projects in years, Equinor’s North Sea Rosebank field, saying energy security was the priority despite opposition from environmentalists, reported by Reuters. Energy Security Minister Claire Coutinho said Rosebank would be less emissions-intensive than older oil and gas developments. “We will continue to […]
The North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) announced the list of companies which have accepted licences following the UK’s first-ever carbon storage licensing round. A total of 14 companies have been awarded 21 licences in depleted oil and gas reservoirs and saline aquifers which cover around 12,000sq km – an area equivalent to the size of […]
The Scottish Government and the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has published its annual UK Sea Fisheries Statistics 2022. Scottish Sea Fisheries Statistics 2022 Key Points: The fishing industry value has increased from last year but hasn’t returned to 2019, pre-pandemic levels. The value of landings has risen less than general inflation between 2019 and 2022: […]