The MSP Days underscored the theme “Merestä kaikille – Havet för alla” or “The Sea Belongs to Everyone,” emphasizing the importance of inclusive collaboration in maritime spatial planning.
“As a leading renewable energy company in the Nordics, we are keen to engage with stakeholders across various maritime sectors to contribute to the sustainable development of Finland’s marine areas,” says Ilmatar´s MSP Specialist Stefan Husa.
Key Cross-Cutting Themes Highlighted
Green Transition of Maritime Areas: Embracing renewable energy sources, particularly offshore wind, to drive sustainable growth.
Climate Impact on Marine Nature: Addressing the effects of climate change on marine ecosystems and biodiversity.
Maritime Multi-Use Planning: Promoting the coexistence of various maritime activities to optimize space and resources efficiently.
Security and Supply Chain Resilience: Ensuring maritime areas contribute to national security and maintain robust logistics networks, as well as food production.
These themes align closely with Ilmatar’s commitment to sustainable energy solutions and responsible use of marine resources.
Integrating the European Green Deal
A significant focus was placed on aligning maritime spatial planning with the European Green Deal. Discussions revolved around climate change mitigation, sustainable food production, biodiversity conservation, and facilitating a just green transition. By integrating these objectives, Finland aims to balance ecological sustainability with economic development in its maritime areas.
Offshore Wind Energy and Environmental Stewardship
The development of offshore wind energy emerged as a pivotal topic. Participants explored ways to integrate offshore wind projects with other maritime activities, such as fishing and aquaculture. Concepts like nature-based solutions and nature-inclusive design were discussed as strategies to minimize environmental impact and enhance biodiversity.
Ilmatar’s expertise in offshore wind energy positions the company to contribute positively to these initiatives, ensuring that renewable energy projects are developed responsibly and in harmony with the marine environment.
Addressing Challenges in the Fishing Industry
The event also shed light on the challenges faced by the fishing industry, including predator-related damages from grey seals and spatial conflicts due to expanding maritime activities. Emphasizing the need for coexistence, stakeholders discussed solutions to support sustainable fishing practices while accommodating new developments in marine areas.
Moving Forward Together
The MSP Days highlighted the necessity of stakeholder engagement and collaborative planning in shaping the future of Finland’s maritime spaces. Through open dialogue and mutual understanding, we can ensure that renewable energy projects are developed sustainably, respecting both the marine ecosystem and the needs of other maritime sectors, and in a way that benefits the environment, the economy and society.
Participation in the national MSP days strengthens Ilmatar’s commitment to sustainable development and environmental consideration in Finland’s marine areas. We value the insights gained and remain committed to participating in similar co-operation efforts.
