Environment Group
Statement adopted at the NSC Environment Group Conference
8th of November 2002
To
the North Sea Commission
Executive Committee
Implementation
of Renewable Energy
The
Bergen Declaration, from the 5th North Sea Conference 2002, made renewable
energy one of its main issues. As a complement to the declaration the
following statement has been made from the Annual Meeting of the North Sea
Commission Environment Group in Blankenberge, Belgium, 7th-8th of November
2002.
In a
situation where the EU is very much depending on imported fossil fuel as an
energy source and is expected to be even more so - estimated to 70% in
2010 - more emphasis has to be made on the implementation of renewable
resources. The conference concentrated on land and off shore wind energy
planning and decision making process, and included the extensive experience
in Denmark.
Implementation
of national policy and decisions needs influence, active dialogue and
involvement of the local and regional level. The planning situation around
the North Sea is varied, but all regions see the need to have active
dialogue with the national level to clarify the circumstances for the
development.
Best
practice in implementation of wind energy clearly shows the need of
participation from the public in the early stages of planning and
decision-making process. Otherwise, it can easy be problem with the
acceptance from the public. Experience also shows the importance of
development giving some sort of benefit to the public and local society.
The
conference calls for co-operation between national governments and between
government and regional authorities to create a set of criteria for the
planning and development of the wind energy around the North Sea.
The
NSC Environment Group is sending this statement to the NSC Executive
Committee for further action, stressing the great importance of getting the
right planning and decision-making process. Otherwise we will not use the
possibilities which renewable resources give.
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