Strengthening Baseline Survey and Multi-stakeholder Participation | CBCGDF OceanWetlands' Advice on "Technical Specification for Tracking and Monitoring of Marine Ecological and Environmental Impacts of Offshore Wind Power Projects" (Draft for Comments) | Policy Advisory


 

In November 2024, the relevant department published the “Technical Specification for Tracking and Monitoring of Marine Ecological and Environmental Impacts of Offshore Wind Power Projects” (Draft for Comments). On December 17, 2024, the OceanWetlands Group of China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation (CBCGDF) responded to the call, and after careful study, put forward a number of recommendations for reference to improve the standard.


In the “General Requirements” section, we put forward several suggestions to help further improve the scientific and practical aspects of monitoring, and to ensure that the impacts of wind power projects on the marine ecosystem can be effectively assessed and controlled in the course of implementation. 

Offshore wind power.  Three offshore wind turbines at Alpha-Ventus, south of German waters, and their substation. Image taken in 2009, photo by SteKrueBe (CC BY-SA 3.0)

First, it is recommended that special emphasis be placed on the importance of baseline surveys. All monitoring work should be based on a comprehensive and systematic baseline survey. The baseline survey should provide a comprehensive understanding of the current status of biodiversity, ecosystem characteristics and key ecological processes in the sea where the project is located, so as to provide an important reference for the follow-up monitoring. The baseline data can not only provide a benchmark for the ecological impact assessment of the wind power project, but also provide strong support for scientific decision-making, thus ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the monitoring results.


Secondly, in the process of formulating and implementing the monitoring program, it is recommended to fully consider and incorporate the opinions and participation of all stakeholders. In particular, the voices of local fishermen, communities, social organizations and scientific research institutions should be heard. This will not only help to improve the scientific validity and effectiveness of the monitoring work, but also ensure that the monitoring work is better adapted to local realities. In addition, it is recommended that consideration be given to making it clear in one part of the standard that monitoring data and results should be made public on a regular basis to promote information exchange and public scrutiny, which is an important measure to ensure the transparency and credibility of the monitoring work.


Thirdly, on the question of how to formulate an integrated monitoring program in different environmental contexts, we suggest that it be further clarified how to take into account the ecological characteristics of different marine areas. It is suggested that the monitoring program should also be more detailed and take into account the long-term impacts in different environmental contexts. The monitoring program should be designed to address the characteristics of different areas and avoid a “one size fits all” approach. Particularly in ecologically sensitive areas, monitoring should focus on impacts on water quality, sediment and biological habitats to ensure that environmental protection needs in different ecological contexts are fully considered and met.


(Note: This article is a record of daily work, for reference only.)


[Reference]

http://www.nrsis.org.cn/seekPublicAdvice/pagePublishAdviceStdList/10002597


Editor: Samantha

Contact: v10@cbcgdf.org; +8617319454776

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