Ørsted, WWF to work for biodiversity enhancing offshore wind

Danish energy company Ørsted (CPH:ORSTED) and conservation organisation WWF today announced a five-year global partnership aimed at integrating efforts on climate and ocean biodiversity.

The two will work to identify, develop and push for offshore wind deployment initiatives that enhance biodiversity. Ørsted and WWF plan to invite leading experts to drive an international debate at a joint event at COP27. The partnership’s ambitions include incorporating nature protection and restoration in future government offshore wind tenders around the world.

“The planned expansion of offshore wind risks having a negative impact on biodiversity if done in the wrong way. However, if done right, it can support and enhance ocean biodiversity and create a net-positive biodiversity impact,” commented WWF International director general Marco Lambertini.

“If done in the right way, offshore wind projects can enhance ocean biodiversity, improving ocean health, and thereby address both the climate and biodiversity crises,” added Ørsted chief executive Mads Nipper.

The first initiative for the partnership will be a joint marine ecosystem restoration project in the North Sea that will focus on improving methods to repopulate depleted reef-building species, in particular native oysters and horse mussels. These species are seen as important ecosystem builders as they create biogenic reefs that provide vital habitat for many other marine species.

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