SETU’s Sustainable Development Office (SDO) and Captain Phil Murphy, SETU’s Project Manager for offshore wind, partnered with the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment (DCEE) to host a Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) Challenge Workshop.
The event brought SETU staff and DCEE’s Marine Strategic Policy team together for an interactive exploration of the opportunities and challenges involved in managing Ireland’s marine and coastal resources sustainably.
Following an introduction to Marine Spatial Planning and the work of DCEE’s Marine Affairs Division, participants worked together to develop a marine spatial plan while balancing priorities including renewable energy, shipping and transport, biodiversity, and environmental protection, fisheries, tourism and economic development.
As the MSP Challenge game progressed, participants collaborated to develop an ecosystem based maritime spatial plan, navigating environmental, social and economic priorities along the way. Participants negotiated, responded to the decisions of others and adapted plans as different interests intersected. The experience highlighted the importance of partnership, collaboration and finding areas of shared interest when addressing sustainability challenges.
The workshop also provided an opportunity for SETU and the DCEE’s to exchange perspectives on the real challenges informing Ireland’s marine policy and planning, including marine protection and offshore renewable energy.
Capt. Phil Murphy, Project Manager for Offshore Wind at SETU, welcomed the strong interest and engagement in the maritime sector across SETU, and highlighted the opportunities this growing area presents for the wider region.
Dr David Ryan, Associate Vice President for Sustainability at SETU, emphasised the importance of collaboration with regional and national partners in addressing sustainability challenges and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals. He also noted the opportunity to build on the strengths and expertise across the region, bringing people and organisations together to support the green transition and create meaningful, lasting impact.
Philip Nugent, Assistant Secretary for EU, International and Marine Affairs at the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, thanked SETU staff for taking the time to engage and collaborate with the Department’s Marine Strategic Policy team, particularly at the beginning of the academic year. Speaking about the role of the MSP Challenge in building awareness and engagement, he said:
The MSP Challenge Game is an enjoyable yet vital engagement opportunity that makes the public and stakeholders aware of the responsibilities that fall under our Marine Affairs Division here at the Department, including projects such as Marine Protection Legislation and the National DMAP for ORE, which aims to categorise potential offshore wind farm sites around the country
Philip Nugent Assistant Secretary for EU, International and Marine Affairs at the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment
Philip Nugent reflected the value of the exchange for the Department, noting that the insights received from SETU had proven incredibly valuable in helping to shape its approach to promoting sustainability and tackling climate change, and welcomed the opportunity to work together again in the future.
Building on the success of the workshop, SETU looks forward to continuing to work with DCEE’s Marine Strategic Policy team to deliver a series of MSP Challenge workshops across SETU campuses over the coming months, creating opportunities for staff and students from a range of disciplines to participate.
Michelle Maher, Sustainability Education Lead at SETU, said:
Sustainability challenges are complex and require us to work across disciplines, perspectives and sectors. Experiences like the MSP Challenge create opportunities for students to develop the skills and competencies to navigate that complexity and collaborate with others. By connecting learning with real challenges that matter to our places and communities, we can create more meaningful opportunities for students to engage, contribute and see themselves as part of shaping a just and sustainable transition
Michelle Maher Sustainability Education Lead at SETU
The MSP Challenge is relevant across disciplines, and staff interested in exploring how it could be used with their students or programmes are encouraged to get in touch with the SETU Sustainable Development Office.
For more information on sustainability initiatives at SETU, click here.