Maritime Spatial Planning

The global shift towards renewable energy has placed offshore wind at the forefront of sustainable energy solutions. However, this advancement introduces new challenges, particularly for the marine ecosystems and communities that share these waters. Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) is essential to navigate these complexities and ensure that offshore wind development is consistent with environmental protection and social well-being.

At its core, MSP is a collaborative, strategic approach that balances ecological, economic, and social priorities in marine spaces. By coordinating different activities—such as fishing, shipping, conservation, and energy development—MSP helps to protect marine biodiversity, promote community engagement, and reduce conflicts. With MSP, we can ensure that offshore wind development is consistent with broader goals of environmental restoration and social well-being, contributing to a Nature- and People-Positive future for our oceans.

This GINGR MSP Navigator aims to explore the role of MSP in fostering responsible offshore wind development and offering pathways to support biodiversity and communities. We believe that through MSP, we can guide the energy transition towards a sustainable future for our seas. Together with this GINGR discussion paper, we provide a GINGR Navigator checklist to support the principles of Maritime Spatial Planning for offshore wind development.