A: The North Sea: the largest nature reserve or the green power plant of Europe?

The North Sea at the Crossroads of Energy and Ecology 

Both the climate and biodiversity of planet earth are under pressure. The future of the North Sea is shaped by two powerful and sometimes competing forces: the rapid expansion of offshore renewable energy and the preservation of its unique marine ecosystems. In this session, we bring these perspectives together to explore how the energy transition can be reconciled with ecological protection. 

We begin with a short (25 minutes) version of The ‘North Sea Nature Untamed’ movie shown on a cinema screen, offering an evocative glimpse into the richness of the marine environment. Building on this, a panel of leading stakeholders from government, industry, research, and civil society will engage in a moderated discussion. Their dialogue will address both the tensions that arise when space and resources are contested, as well as the synergies that may create shared value and long-term sustainability. 

This session invites participants to critically reflect on the balance between ecological resilience and energy development in shaping the future of the North Sea.