New research funding for project on critical maritime infrastructure in the Greater North Sea region
"two of the leading North Sea universities in the field of security studies are working together in this partnership to ensure that decarbonization strategies are not only understood in economic terms, but that the security implications are considered"
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Congratulations to CeSeR member, Andrew Neal for winning funding under the Edinburgh-Copenhagen Strategic Partnership Initiative for new research on critical maritime infrastructure in the Greater North Sea region.
The green transition depends on substantial investments in offshore energy infrastructures, underwater cable connections for power and communications, green hydrogen production from the sea, and carbon storage facilities. The new research partnership between the Center for Advanced Security Theory of the Department of Political Science, University of Copenhagen, and the Centre for Security Research of the School of Social and Political Science, University of Edinburgh, investigates the strategic and security implication of these investments. How can these critical maritime infrastructures be better protected?
Christian Bueger, leader of the project in Copenhagen said, “The North Sea is increasingly the green power house of Europe. Since the Nord Stream attack of last year, we know how vulnerable our infrastructures at sea are. Through this partnership we will gain important knowledge of how we can better protect the green infrastructure investments.”
Andrew Neal, leader of the partnership in Edinburgh, added “two of the leading North Sea universities in the field of security studies are working together in this partnership to ensure that decarbonization strategies are not only understood in economic terms, but that the security implications are considered”.
He suggested, “for Denmark, Scotland and the wider United Kingdom there is much at stake. To meet emission reduction targets, we need the green energy of the North Sea. Opportunities for growth and employment depend on it.”
The partnership plans to engage stakeholders including from the EU, NATO, governmental agencies of the North Sea states, and the windfarm, hydrogen, subsea cable, and shipping industries. Stakeholder workshops will facilitate the development of policy options and the identification of priority research questions.
CeSeR will host events associated with the project and in the meantime please contact Andrew Neal for further information or to get involved in the research partnership.