The BGS Marine Geoscience programme studies marine environments, both locally and globally, enables us to better understand many of the big challenges facing our planet today, including climate change, coastal erosion and renewable energy. It also allows us to maximise development of our marine resources including oil, gas, marine aggregates, aquaculture, fishing, plus helps conserve our rich biodiversity and marine archaeological inheritance. In the field of Energy, the BGS supports science that seeks to understand and maximise the recovery of dwindling fossil fuel reserves, as well as helping the development of renewable energy such as geothermal power. Security of energy supply and reduction of carbon emissions is central to the UK Government's energy policy, as is maintaining a suitable mix of future energy resources. The UK 's natural resources are declining and will only be partially replaced by indigenous renewables.