The guidance tool focuses on accelerating the adoption of offshore renewable energy, particularly offshore wind, to support global efforts to combat climate change and meet commitments under the Paris Agreement. Offshore wind holds significant potential for coastal nations, offering both climate and development benefits when developed responsibly—protecting marine ecosystems, supporting local communities, and ensuring economic viability. With the Ocean Renewable Energy Breakthrough setting a target of 380 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030, the initiative emphasizes mobilizing concessional finance, enabling biodiversity-positive outcomes, and integrating these goals into countries' nationally determined contributions (NDCs). These efforts align with broader global energy transformation pledges, such as tripling renewable energy capacity by 2030, to accelerate the decarbonization of the energy sector.
This document provides decision-makers with concise, actionable guidance to set and implement ambitious offshore wind targets in their NDCs. It outlines steps to integrate biodiversity-positive wind projects into mitigation pledges, develop enabling policies, and secure financing, ensuring projects are environmentally sustainable and development-focused. The guidance also offers tools for monitoring and evaluation, helping countries enhance their climate ambitions while contributing to global renewable energy goals. Additional sections delve into the benefits of ocean renewable energy, the NDC process, and strategies for effective project implementation and reporting.