Offshore Wind Energy in Canada: Charting an Ecologically Sustainable Future from International Law and Policy Coordinates and State Practices

Abstract

This thesis addresses a critical issue: while offshore wind energy (OWE) reduces greenhouse gas emissions and helps Canada meet its climate goals under the Paris Agreement, it may also harm marine ecosystems, potentially conflicting with biodiversity conservation efforts. OWE can lead to the loss of fish and fish habitats as a result of construction activities, as well as bird and bat mortality due to turbine collisions. Utilizing ecological sustainability as a theoretical framework, the thesis examines how Canada can enhance its regulatory framework for OWE to protect biodiversity. It recommends: (i) broadening ecological sustainability in the law; (ii) implementing integrated management through legally binding marine spatial planning; and (iii) employing strategic and environmental assessments to mitigate the adverse impacts of OWE. It analyzes key federal laws and provincial laws of Nova Scotia and proposes strengthening various Acts to support an ecologically sustainable future for OWE in Canada.