Investing in action, paying for inaction: From climate and biodiversity crisis to nature-friendly offshore wind and grids
The consequences of failing to address climate change and biodiversity loss carry alarming economic costs, increasingly borne by public budgets and societies that depend on ecosystem services.
This workshop aims to explore how offshore wind – a key pillar of Europe’s energy transition and the fight against climate change and associated biodiversity loss – can help mitigate these costs, and what it takes to ensure that it is compatible with marine ecosystem protection, financially viable, and supported by measurable environmental outcomes.
Perspectives from banks, institutions, wind developers, TSOs and NGOs across the North Sea, Baltic Sea, and Mediterranean regions will be brought together, addressing financial, policy, planning and technological dimensions.
This event is organised by the Renewables Grid Initiative, WindEurope, and Members of the Offshore Coalition for Energy and Nature, in both the North and Baltic Seas and the Mediterranean Sea. This 2-hour event is invitation-only and will be kicked off by a networking lunch from 12:30-13:20. Participants must have a valid ticket to attend WindEurope's 2026 Annual Event.
Confirmed speakers include:
· Antonella Battaglini, CEO, RGI
· Tinne Van der Straeten, CEO, WindEurope
· Cristina Simioli, Director - Offshore Energy and Nature, RGI
· Dr. Eva Julius-Philipp, Director Environment & Sustainability Unit BA Wind, Vattenfall
· Sean Whittaker, Co-lead Offshore Wind Development Program and Head, Energy Climate Finance, World Bank/ESMAP
· Lucy Holmes, Senior Director, Ocean Markets and Finance, WWF
· Saskia Jaarsma, Head of Offshore Development, Large Projects Offshore, TenneT
· Mattia Cecchinato, Manager - Offshore Wind, WindEurope
· Catarina Rei, Permitting and Environment Director, Ocean Winds
· Mauro Randone, Regional Programme Coordinator for Protecting, Managing & Restoring Ecosystems, WWF Mediterranean
· Gro Waeraas de Saint Martin, Director Strategy & Development Offshore Grids, Réseau de Transport d'Électricité