Consultation on Offshore Wind Environmental Compensatory Measures Reforms

Overview

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is seeking views on its proposed Offshore Wind Environmental Compensatory Measures Reforms. The reforms are intended provide more clarity on requirements for environmental compensation when unavoidable damage to a Marine Protected Area (MPA) occurs during offshore wind development. We propose introducing a more flexible and pragmatic approach to compensation which includes broadening access to the range of measures that can be used as compensation. This will support the government’s commitments to accelerating net zero and delivering the Clean Power by 2030 mission as well as contributing to nature's recovery. 

Why your views matter

To achieve our intended objectives, the proposed reforms comprise both legislative change and associated guidance. We would like to hear from stakeholders who have an interest in offshore wind development and the delivery of environmental compensatory measures in the UK. In particular, we would like to gather evidence from key stakeholders on:  

• Our proposed approach to environmental compensatory measures reforms and the proposals for legislative change and associated guidance  

We have developed the proposals for: 

• regulatory bodies 

• statutory nature conservation bodies 

• marine developers (particularly offshore wind developers)