Renewable Energy and the Law of the Sea

Woolley, Olivia

doi:10.1017/9781009042178.003

Renewable Energy and the Law of the Sea

Woolley, Olivia

Authors

Dr Olivia Woolley olivia.a.woolley@durham.ac.uk
Associate Professor

Contributors

J. Kraska
Editor

Y-K. Park
Editor

Abstract

Contemporary technologies for offshore electricity generation and transmission enable sea uses of types and at scales that could not have been envisaged when the text of UNCLOS was agreed. The chapter considers whether UNCLOS is able to accommodate the offshore renewables revolution. It focuses on offshore wind energy, which is likely to see massive growth during the next three decades as the world decarbonizes. The review finds that UNCLOS does not always make adequate legal provision for them. Support will be needed from national laws, interstate agreements, and resolutions and guidelines of international organizations such as the International Maritime Organization to fill gaps in the law, clarify uncertainties and to meet challenges posed by offshore wind’s growth. Further regulation by states of offshore wind will also be needed to address the environmental effects of relevant development in line with duties for marine environmental protection, and to answer difficult legal questions raised by the pursuit of development that may itself cause significant environmental harm to address the environmental threats posed by climate change.

Citation

Woolley, O. (2022). Renewable Energy and the Law of the Sea. In J. Kraska, & Y. Park (Eds.), Emerging Technology and the Law of the Sea (35-62). Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009042178.003

Online Publication Date	Jul 7, 2022
Publication Date	2022-07
Deposit Date	May 6, 2021
Publicly Available Date	May 6, 2021
Publisher	Cambridge University Press
Pages	35-62
Book Title	Emerging Technology and the Law of the Sea
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009042178.003

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Copyright Statement
This material has been published in Emerging Technology and the Law of the Sea edited by J. Kraska and Y-K. Park. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009042178.003. This version is free to view and download for private research and study only. Not for re-distribution or re-use.