Here you will find our response to the Scottish Government’s consultation on the Strategic Compensation Policy for Offshore Wind (closed 1st September 2025).

This response was developed by the Scotland Policy Group.

Key points:

• CIEEM does not support proposals to make compensation under Habitats Regulations more flexible; like-for-like compensation for the impacts of development on protected habitats and features must remain the priority.
• We are supportive of a formal compensation hierarchy, but is opposed to proposals that this be flexible and allow for “wider measures” when options for direct compensation are available.
• We are concerned by the lack specific criteria for demonstrating ecological benefit from wider measures.
• We disagree with the Scottish Government’s inclination not to define Marine Irreplaceable Habitats (MIHs) and therefore not restrict wider compensation for them.
• While we consider that compensation should be in place and functional before impacts from development occur, but we recognise that successful ecological restoration will be long-term; therefore, in certain circumstances, compensation can be functioning after the impact of the offshore wind development occurs.
• We agree with the proposal that overcompensation may be necessary in certain circumstances and guidance should set out clear criteria for determining when overcompensation is needed.
• We support continues use of adaptive management, but emphasise that it must not be used as a substitute for robust project design and implementation of pre-impact measures.
• We support a UK-wide register for compensatory measures, with the caveat that Scotland must retain powers to impose specific requirements as needed.
• Throughout our response we emphasise the need for ongoing evidence gathering, detailed example cases, and safeguards to ensure that policies do not unintentionally erode standards for Scotland’s marine protected areas.