en.Wedoany.com Reported - A study by the University of Aberdeen has warned that coastal communities in the UK may face marginalization due to the offshore renewable energy transition unless reforms are made to existing governance systems.
The Just Transition Lab warns that the benefits of the clean energy transition may not be evenly distributed, with coastal areas potentially bearing environmental and social costs while receiving only limited long-term economic gains.
Based on the TRANSECTS project, the study analyzed over 200 years of marine industry changes in Orkney, Northeast Scotland, and the Humber Estuary, tracking a series of development waves including whaling, fishing, offshore oil and gas, and the current offshore renewable energy sector.
Researchers reviewed 181 historical and contemporary records from the 19th century to the present, finding that marine energy transitions are cumulative, with past decisions continuing to shape today's inequalities and opportunities.
The report highlights persistent issues, including limited local influence in decision-making, cycles of economic boom and bust, and uneven distribution of employment, investment, and profits.
Dr Amy McCarron, a researcher at the University of Aberdeen, stated that marine energy transitions are not new to coastal communities, and many of the same challenges keep recurring, particularly regarding who benefits, who bears the costs, and whose voices are heard in decision-making.
The study warns that without intervention, the expansion of offshore renewable energy could exacerbate rather than reduce existing inequalities.
The research also points to potential solutions, including more locally tailored planning, improved coordination between national and local governments, and clearer frameworks for community benefits.
The report argues that sustained investment in local skills and participation is crucial to ensuring a fairer and more inclusive energy future.
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