Updated Offshore Wind Policy Statement: child rights and wellbeing impact assessment

Child Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment Template

1. Brief Summary

Type of proposal:

• A policy decision to increase our offshore wind ambition, which is not a Bill, Scottish Statutory Instrument, nor a decision of a strategic nature relating to the rights and wellbeing of children.

Name the proposal, and describe its overall aims and intended purpose.

The original Offshore Wind Policy Statement was published in 2020. It was a high-level document setting out the Scottish Government’s (SG) GW offshore wind ambition at that time. The updated Offshore Wind Policy Statement (uOWPS) published in January 2026, informed by a public consultation, increases the SG’s policy GW ambition to reflect market developments (since the ScotWind and Innovation and Targeted Oil and Gas (INTOG) leasing rounds), and outlines the progress made on key policy and regulatory areas since the original statement was published, while setting out key areas of focus going forward.

It is a high-level document detailing the potential of Scotland’s offshore wind sector, and outlines key high-level areas which SG and other stakeholders – including the UK Government – should focus on in years to come in order to achieve the increased ambition.

Start date of proposal’s development: March 2025

Start date of CRWIA process: April 2025

2. With reference given to the requirements of the UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024, which aspects of the proposal are relevant to/impact upon children’s rights?

There are no aspects of the proposal which are deemed relevant to the UNCRC requirements. The updated Offshore Wind Policy Statement (uOWPS) is a high-level document detailing the potential of Scotland’s offshore wind sector and the gigawatt (GW) ambition the SG would like to achieve. Many reserved policy levers will affect the realisation of this ambition. It is a continuation of existing policy, seeking to update a policy statement published in 2020. The uOWPS does not contain any policy aims, plans, or actions relating to children as defined by the UNCRC.

3. Please provide a summary of the evidence gathered which will be used to inform your decision-making and the content of the proposal

N/A

4. Further to the evidence described at ‘3’ have you identified any 'gaps' in evidence which may prevent determination of impact? If yes, please provide an explanation of how they will be addressed

N/A

5. Analysis of Evidence

N/A

6. What changes (if any) have been made to the proposal as a result of this assessment?

N/A