The UK has been told to host an international summit that would draw-up a “visionary” new strategy to safeguard the future of the North Sea.
A report by a group of peers has today called for a “step-change” in the management of the sea, including the creation of common policies on the environment, shipping, fishing and energy.
The House of Lords’ European Union committee made the recommendations after holding an inquiry that was launched last July.
The peers found that despite being “one of the most industrialised seas in the world”, and plans being under way for a 50-fold increase in offshore wind turbines over coming years, there was no single map or database plotting the various uses of the sea.
They urged the UK to work much more closely with the other North Sea nations to ensure its future was sustainable.
“Visionary leadership is required and we therefore recommend that the UK Government convenes a North Sea ministerial conference to take stock of the overarching challenges and opportunities in the North Sea marine environment,” the report concluded.
“This should build on the environmental focus of earlier ministerial conferences, and take a more holistic approach, extending to the consideration of economic sectors, including shipping, fishing and energy.
“Such a ministerial conference should aspire to a common political vision for the North Sea, which, through genuine co-operation, delivers a sustainable and secure resource for the future.”
The committee said greater cooperation was required to create an international energy grid and to develop a cross-border data collection initiative.
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