INSITE Synthesis Project
Lead Research Organisation:
Plymouth University
Department Name: Sch of Biological and Marine Sciences
Abstract
The INSITE Synthesis Project aims to, using standard stakeholder engagement practice, develop a scientific consensus and 'community' position on what they consider to be the critical issues relating to the ecological costs, benefits and impacts of installing, operating and removing (decommissioning) man-made structures (MMS) in the marine environment.
The community will be assembled largely by invitation, co-ordinated by the core group, and will include experts from INSITE projects and national and international partners. Because the aim is to understand and disseminate a view of the scientific consensus we will focus on scientists with demonstrated and relevant expertise, such as those who have published relevant papers or are leading relevant projects.
The project will start with a conceptual framework and a 'bottom-up approach', asking scientists to contribute what they consider to be the most relevant evidence with respect to MMS decommissioning. This evidence-base would then be used to create a conceptual network describing the links between cause (drivers), consequence (impact) and responses (management options).
This evidence base will be used to identify knowledge gaps, future research priorities reflected in creation of (1) a 'Summary for Policymakers' policy briefing synthesising the scientific evidence for policymakers (i.e. UK government, national and international managers), and (2) a high-impact journal article outlining the scientific consensus.
The community will be assembled largely by invitation, co-ordinated by the core group, and will include experts from INSITE projects and national and international partners. Because the aim is to understand and disseminate a view of the scientific consensus we will focus on scientists with demonstrated and relevant expertise, such as those who have published relevant papers or are leading relevant projects.
The project will start with a conceptual framework and a 'bottom-up approach', asking scientists to contribute what they consider to be the most relevant evidence with respect to MMS decommissioning. This evidence-base would then be used to create a conceptual network describing the links between cause (drivers), consequence (impact) and responses (management options).
This evidence base will be used to identify knowledge gaps, future research priorities reflected in creation of (1) a 'Summary for Policymakers' policy briefing synthesising the scientific evidence for policymakers (i.e. UK government, national and international managers), and (2) a high-impact journal article outlining the scientific consensus.
Organisations
- Plymouth University (Lead Research Organisation)
- Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (Collaboration)
- Deakin University (Collaboration)
- University of California, Santa Barbara (Collaboration)
- University of St Andrews (Collaboration)
- University of Western Australia (Collaboration)
- Australian Government (Collaboration)
- University of Hull (Collaboration)
- U.S. Department of Energy (Collaboration)
- Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH (Collaboration)
- CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE SCIENCE (Collaboration)
- NATIONAL OCEANOGRAPHY CENTRE (Collaboration)
- Heriot-Watt University (Collaboration)
- Department of Primary Industries New South Wales (Collaboration)
- Scottish Association for Marine Science (Collaboration)
- Wageningen University & Research (Collaboration)
- Texas A&M University (Collaboration)
People |
ORCID iD |
| Antony Knights (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Knights A
(2024)
The world must rethink plans for ageing oil and gas platforms.
in Nature
Knights AM
(2024)
Developing expert scientific consensus on the environmental and societal effects of marine artificial structures prior to decommissioning.
in Journal of environmental management
Knights AM
(2024)
To what extent can decommissioning options for marine artificial structures move us toward environmental targets?
in Journal of environmental management
| Description | We have developed scientific consensus (agreement) that current OSPAR policy for decommissioning of offshore structures at end-of-life should be changed to allow alternative options (referred to as derogations) to only complete removal. This would represent a fundamental change in current international policy and has been fed directly into OSPAR in their decommissioning meeting. |
| Exploitation Route | See above |
| Sectors | Communities and Social Services/Policy Energy Environment |
| URL | https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/news/decommissioned-offshore-structures-could-offer-only-limited-ecological-benefits-study-suggests |
| Description | This work has received significant attention from industry and policy makers. Notably, this work has been presented to the Oslo-Paris Convention (OSPAR); the responsible body for legislation that applies to the North East Atlantic and its contracting parties (European countries incl. the UK). We have provided evidence to that body suggesting current policy (Decision 98/3) should be modified that re-defines derogations (allowable decommissioning options other than complete removal of end-of-life offshore structures). |
| First Year Of Impact | 2024 |
| Sector | Communities and Social Services/Policy,Construction,Energy,Environment |
| Impact Types | Societal Economic Policy & public services |
| Description | Synthesis International Workshops |
| Organisation | Australian Government |
| Department | Australian Institute of Marine Science |
| Country | Australia |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | I co-developed 3 international workshops alongside Paul Somerfield (PML) asking the scientists about what they think about man-made structures in the sea and what to do with them. This data is currently being analysed for inclusion in 3 publications. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The partners gave 9-h of in-kind contribution (as staff time) to participate in 3x3h workshops. The workshops focused on: (1) Identifying impact chains arising from man-made structures (MMS) in the sea; (2) Assessing risk of impacts from impact chains arising from (MMS) in the sea; and (3) Assessing the extent to which different decommissioning options for MMS will contribute to global environmental policy targets. Partners answered questions in structured workshops led by Somerfield (Workshop 1) and Knights (Workshops 2 and 3). |
| Impact | 3 papers are currently in preparation with all workshop participants as authors. |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Synthesis International Workshops |
| Organisation | Centre For Environment, Fisheries And Aquaculture Science |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | I co-developed 3 international workshops alongside Paul Somerfield (PML) asking the scientists about what they think about man-made structures in the sea and what to do with them. This data is currently being analysed for inclusion in 3 publications. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The partners gave 9-h of in-kind contribution (as staff time) to participate in 3x3h workshops. The workshops focused on: (1) Identifying impact chains arising from man-made structures (MMS) in the sea; (2) Assessing risk of impacts from impact chains arising from (MMS) in the sea; and (3) Assessing the extent to which different decommissioning options for MMS will contribute to global environmental policy targets. Partners answered questions in structured workshops led by Somerfield (Workshop 1) and Knights (Workshops 2 and 3). |
| Impact | 3 papers are currently in preparation with all workshop participants as authors. |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Synthesis International Workshops |
| Organisation | Deakin University |
| Country | Australia |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | I co-developed 3 international workshops alongside Paul Somerfield (PML) asking the scientists about what they think about man-made structures in the sea and what to do with them. This data is currently being analysed for inclusion in 3 publications. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The partners gave 9-h of in-kind contribution (as staff time) to participate in 3x3h workshops. The workshops focused on: (1) Identifying impact chains arising from man-made structures (MMS) in the sea; (2) Assessing risk of impacts from impact chains arising from (MMS) in the sea; and (3) Assessing the extent to which different decommissioning options for MMS will contribute to global environmental policy targets. Partners answered questions in structured workshops led by Somerfield (Workshop 1) and Knights (Workshops 2 and 3). |
| Impact | 3 papers are currently in preparation with all workshop participants as authors. |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Synthesis International Workshops |
| Organisation | Department of Primary Industries New South Wales |
| Country | Australia |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | I co-developed 3 international workshops alongside Paul Somerfield (PML) asking the scientists about what they think about man-made structures in the sea and what to do with them. This data is currently being analysed for inclusion in 3 publications. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The partners gave 9-h of in-kind contribution (as staff time) to participate in 3x3h workshops. The workshops focused on: (1) Identifying impact chains arising from man-made structures (MMS) in the sea; (2) Assessing risk of impacts from impact chains arising from (MMS) in the sea; and (3) Assessing the extent to which different decommissioning options for MMS will contribute to global environmental policy targets. Partners answered questions in structured workshops led by Somerfield (Workshop 1) and Knights (Workshops 2 and 3). |
| Impact | 3 papers are currently in preparation with all workshop participants as authors. |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Synthesis International Workshops |
| Organisation | Heriot-Watt University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | I co-developed 3 international workshops alongside Paul Somerfield (PML) asking the scientists about what they think about man-made structures in the sea and what to do with them. This data is currently being analysed for inclusion in 3 publications. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The partners gave 9-h of in-kind contribution (as staff time) to participate in 3x3h workshops. The workshops focused on: (1) Identifying impact chains arising from man-made structures (MMS) in the sea; (2) Assessing risk of impacts from impact chains arising from (MMS) in the sea; and (3) Assessing the extent to which different decommissioning options for MMS will contribute to global environmental policy targets. Partners answered questions in structured workshops led by Somerfield (Workshop 1) and Knights (Workshops 2 and 3). |
| Impact | 3 papers are currently in preparation with all workshop participants as authors. |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Synthesis International Workshops |
| Organisation | National Oceanography Centre |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | I co-developed 3 international workshops alongside Paul Somerfield (PML) asking the scientists about what they think about man-made structures in the sea and what to do with them. This data is currently being analysed for inclusion in 3 publications. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The partners gave 9-h of in-kind contribution (as staff time) to participate in 3x3h workshops. The workshops focused on: (1) Identifying impact chains arising from man-made structures (MMS) in the sea; (2) Assessing risk of impacts from impact chains arising from (MMS) in the sea; and (3) Assessing the extent to which different decommissioning options for MMS will contribute to global environmental policy targets. Partners answered questions in structured workshops led by Somerfield (Workshop 1) and Knights (Workshops 2 and 3). |
| Impact | 3 papers are currently in preparation with all workshop participants as authors. |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Synthesis International Workshops |
| Organisation | Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences |
| Country | Belgium |
| Sector | Learned Society |
| PI Contribution | I co-developed 3 international workshops alongside Paul Somerfield (PML) asking the scientists about what they think about man-made structures in the sea and what to do with them. This data is currently being analysed for inclusion in 3 publications. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The partners gave 9-h of in-kind contribution (as staff time) to participate in 3x3h workshops. The workshops focused on: (1) Identifying impact chains arising from man-made structures (MMS) in the sea; (2) Assessing risk of impacts from impact chains arising from (MMS) in the sea; and (3) Assessing the extent to which different decommissioning options for MMS will contribute to global environmental policy targets. Partners answered questions in structured workshops led by Somerfield (Workshop 1) and Knights (Workshops 2 and 3). |
| Impact | 3 papers are currently in preparation with all workshop participants as authors. |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Synthesis International Workshops |
| Organisation | Scottish Association For Marine Science |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | I co-developed 3 international workshops alongside Paul Somerfield (PML) asking the scientists about what they think about man-made structures in the sea and what to do with them. This data is currently being analysed for inclusion in 3 publications. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The partners gave 9-h of in-kind contribution (as staff time) to participate in 3x3h workshops. The workshops focused on: (1) Identifying impact chains arising from man-made structures (MMS) in the sea; (2) Assessing risk of impacts from impact chains arising from (MMS) in the sea; and (3) Assessing the extent to which different decommissioning options for MMS will contribute to global environmental policy targets. Partners answered questions in structured workshops led by Somerfield (Workshop 1) and Knights (Workshops 2 and 3). |
| Impact | 3 papers are currently in preparation with all workshop participants as authors. |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Synthesis International Workshops |
| Organisation | Texas A&M University |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | I co-developed 3 international workshops alongside Paul Somerfield (PML) asking the scientists about what they think about man-made structures in the sea and what to do with them. This data is currently being analysed for inclusion in 3 publications. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The partners gave 9-h of in-kind contribution (as staff time) to participate in 3x3h workshops. The workshops focused on: (1) Identifying impact chains arising from man-made structures (MMS) in the sea; (2) Assessing risk of impacts from impact chains arising from (MMS) in the sea; and (3) Assessing the extent to which different decommissioning options for MMS will contribute to global environmental policy targets. Partners answered questions in structured workshops led by Somerfield (Workshop 1) and Knights (Workshops 2 and 3). |
| Impact | 3 papers are currently in preparation with all workshop participants as authors. |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Synthesis International Workshops |
| Organisation | Texas Parks and Wildlife Department |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | I co-developed 3 international workshops alongside Paul Somerfield (PML) asking the scientists about what they think about man-made structures in the sea and what to do with them. This data is currently being analysed for inclusion in 3 publications. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The partners gave 9-h of in-kind contribution (as staff time) to participate in 3x3h workshops. The workshops focused on: (1) Identifying impact chains arising from man-made structures (MMS) in the sea; (2) Assessing risk of impacts from impact chains arising from (MMS) in the sea; and (3) Assessing the extent to which different decommissioning options for MMS will contribute to global environmental policy targets. Partners answered questions in structured workshops led by Somerfield (Workshop 1) and Knights (Workshops 2 and 3). |
| Impact | 3 papers are currently in preparation with all workshop participants as authors. |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Synthesis International Workshops |
| Organisation | U.S. Department of Energy |
| Department | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | I co-developed 3 international workshops alongside Paul Somerfield (PML) asking the scientists about what they think about man-made structures in the sea and what to do with them. This data is currently being analysed for inclusion in 3 publications. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The partners gave 9-h of in-kind contribution (as staff time) to participate in 3x3h workshops. The workshops focused on: (1) Identifying impact chains arising from man-made structures (MMS) in the sea; (2) Assessing risk of impacts from impact chains arising from (MMS) in the sea; and (3) Assessing the extent to which different decommissioning options for MMS will contribute to global environmental policy targets. Partners answered questions in structured workshops led by Somerfield (Workshop 1) and Knights (Workshops 2 and 3). |
| Impact | 3 papers are currently in preparation with all workshop participants as authors. |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Synthesis International Workshops |
| Organisation | University of California, Santa Barbara |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | I co-developed 3 international workshops alongside Paul Somerfield (PML) asking the scientists about what they think about man-made structures in the sea and what to do with them. This data is currently being analysed for inclusion in 3 publications. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The partners gave 9-h of in-kind contribution (as staff time) to participate in 3x3h workshops. The workshops focused on: (1) Identifying impact chains arising from man-made structures (MMS) in the sea; (2) Assessing risk of impacts from impact chains arising from (MMS) in the sea; and (3) Assessing the extent to which different decommissioning options for MMS will contribute to global environmental policy targets. Partners answered questions in structured workshops led by Somerfield (Workshop 1) and Knights (Workshops 2 and 3). |
| Impact | 3 papers are currently in preparation with all workshop participants as authors. |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Synthesis International Workshops |
| Organisation | University of Edinburgh |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | I co-developed 3 international workshops alongside Paul Somerfield (PML) asking the scientists about what they think about man-made structures in the sea and what to do with them. This data is currently being analysed for inclusion in 3 publications. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The partners gave 9-h of in-kind contribution (as staff time) to participate in 3x3h workshops. The workshops focused on: (1) Identifying impact chains arising from man-made structures (MMS) in the sea; (2) Assessing risk of impacts from impact chains arising from (MMS) in the sea; and (3) Assessing the extent to which different decommissioning options for MMS will contribute to global environmental policy targets. Partners answered questions in structured workshops led by Somerfield (Workshop 1) and Knights (Workshops 2 and 3). |
| Impact | 3 papers are currently in preparation with all workshop participants as authors. |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Synthesis International Workshops |
| Organisation | University of Hull |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | I co-developed 3 international workshops alongside Paul Somerfield (PML) asking the scientists about what they think about man-made structures in the sea and what to do with them. This data is currently being analysed for inclusion in 3 publications. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The partners gave 9-h of in-kind contribution (as staff time) to participate in 3x3h workshops. The workshops focused on: (1) Identifying impact chains arising from man-made structures (MMS) in the sea; (2) Assessing risk of impacts from impact chains arising from (MMS) in the sea; and (3) Assessing the extent to which different decommissioning options for MMS will contribute to global environmental policy targets. Partners answered questions in structured workshops led by Somerfield (Workshop 1) and Knights (Workshops 2 and 3). |
| Impact | 3 papers are currently in preparation with all workshop participants as authors. |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Synthesis International Workshops |
| Organisation | University of St Andrews |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | I co-developed 3 international workshops alongside Paul Somerfield (PML) asking the scientists about what they think about man-made structures in the sea and what to do with them. This data is currently being analysed for inclusion in 3 publications. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The partners gave 9-h of in-kind contribution (as staff time) to participate in 3x3h workshops. The workshops focused on: (1) Identifying impact chains arising from man-made structures (MMS) in the sea; (2) Assessing risk of impacts from impact chains arising from (MMS) in the sea; and (3) Assessing the extent to which different decommissioning options for MMS will contribute to global environmental policy targets. Partners answered questions in structured workshops led by Somerfield (Workshop 1) and Knights (Workshops 2 and 3). |
| Impact | 3 papers are currently in preparation with all workshop participants as authors. |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Synthesis International Workshops |
| Organisation | University of Western Australia |
| Country | Australia |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | I co-developed 3 international workshops alongside Paul Somerfield (PML) asking the scientists about what they think about man-made structures in the sea and what to do with them. This data is currently being analysed for inclusion in 3 publications. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The partners gave 9-h of in-kind contribution (as staff time) to participate in 3x3h workshops. The workshops focused on: (1) Identifying impact chains arising from man-made structures (MMS) in the sea; (2) Assessing risk of impacts from impact chains arising from (MMS) in the sea; and (3) Assessing the extent to which different decommissioning options for MMS will contribute to global environmental policy targets. Partners answered questions in structured workshops led by Somerfield (Workshop 1) and Knights (Workshops 2 and 3). |
| Impact | 3 papers are currently in preparation with all workshop participants as authors. |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Synthesis International Workshops |
| Organisation | Wageningen University & Research |
| Country | Netherlands |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | I co-developed 3 international workshops alongside Paul Somerfield (PML) asking the scientists about what they think about man-made structures in the sea and what to do with them. This data is currently being analysed for inclusion in 3 publications. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The partners gave 9-h of in-kind contribution (as staff time) to participate in 3x3h workshops. The workshops focused on: (1) Identifying impact chains arising from man-made structures (MMS) in the sea; (2) Assessing risk of impacts from impact chains arising from (MMS) in the sea; and (3) Assessing the extent to which different decommissioning options for MMS will contribute to global environmental policy targets. Partners answered questions in structured workshops led by Somerfield (Workshop 1) and Knights (Workshops 2 and 3). |
| Impact | 3 papers are currently in preparation with all workshop participants as authors. |
| Start Year | 2022 |