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Organising Partners
Society of Biology logo
Centre for Ecology & Hydrology logo
British Ecological Society logo
The NCI is a partner of the International Year of Biodiversity
International Year of Biodiversity logo
Events Day 3
Valuing our life support systems
programme
Savoy Place,
London
29 April - 1 May 2009
Workshop 3: Sustainable use of the marine environment
To progress towards achieving the UK’s target for renewable energy production,the Government supports the development of offshore renewable energy schemes. This must be balanced by the need to create Marine Protection Zones. The Marine Bill is expected to address how disparate stakeholders can work together more effectively. European Directives also provide a framework for delivery. However, more work needs to be done to ensure that environmental, social and economic interests are given equal consideration. This workshop will look at the challenges and opportunities posed by offshore renewable energy. It will assess whether the marine environment is overexploited or under utilised as well as what value we give to different ecosystem goods and services. These ecosystem goods and services may not just be monetary, but also of historical or legacy importance as well as being essential for future generations.
 

08.30am Registration and coffee     
09.00am Opening remarks Workshop chair: Professor John Shepherd, National Oceanography Centre, University of Southampton  
09.05am The Marine Bill: a policy perspective John Clorley, Head of Defra Marine Biodiversity Team
09.25am Offshore renewable energy: a business perspective Gero Vella, Renewable Energy Systems Ltd
& Centrica Energy.
09.45am Valuing marine ecosystems: experience from the EU and R&D Dr Melanie Austen, Head of Science: Biodiversity and Ecosystem Function, Plymouth Marine Lab.
10.05am Panel discussion and Q&A    
10.20am Coffee break    
10.40am Facilitated breakout groups to discuss issues and develop recommendations    
12.10pm Report back from breakout groups    
12.40pm Closing remarks Prof Paul Leonard, Committee Member,
Natural Capital Initiative.
 
12.45pm Lunch and Networking    
13.45pm Close    
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