Manifesto for the scientific monitoring of floating wind energy in Catalonia

Faced with the unprecedented and serious threat posed by climate change for Catalonia, a region particularly affected by its impacts according to the European Commission, it is of the utmost urgency to embrace the energy transition to renewable energies to avoid the worst consequences of global warming. However, Catalonia is currently far from being able to meet its targets and for renewable energies to cover 50% of total demand by 2030 and 100% by 2050.  

In this emergency context, floating offshore wind energy can play a key role in bringing Catalonia closer to its energy transition goals. This innovative technology enables the deployment of offshore wind in the Mediterranean offering new opportunities and benefits in the areas of energy, environment and research. At the same time, due to the urgency of its deployment and the novel nature of this technology in the Mediterranean, there is a need to implement its development considering the environmental, cultural, and socio-economic particularities of the territory from an interdisciplinary point of view, which must be supported with the necessary studies and in a transparent manner by the scientific community, project promoters and responsible administrations.  

Therefore, today more than ever, Catalonia needs a strong and committed scientific community to face the historic challenge of the fight against climate change and the energy transition we are facing. For this reason, we are disseminating the manifesto for the scientific monitoring of floating wind energy, demanding an implementation led by the administrations, accompanied by the scientific community, verified by the necessary studies, and in accordance with the territories that make their natural spaces available for the fight against climate change.