As a Senior Scientist for Climate Mitigation in the UK Government I directly support the UK's strategy for Net Zero and sustainable economic growth.

On paper, marine production of seaweed offers a golden win-win-win solution of economic growth in struggling communities, delivery towards Net Zero and additional improvement for biodiversity and environmental quality. This equation holds true across the northern hemisphere but, while countries are trying to realise the potential, true success has been limited. Seaweed production poses coastal communities with unique social capital and socioeconomic questions that need to be carefully considered to understand the true potential of seaweed production.

Ireland, Canada, the USA and Norway are all taking different approaches to the social side of seaweed production and I will explore these different approaches and their impact on the communities they affect. I will bring this knowledge back to better inform the UK's approach to seaweed production as we look to maximise its positive impacts on coastal communities across the country.