EU warns on solar geoengineering but research debate grinds on

Campaigners working to limit the use of controversial sun-dimming technology have praised the Europe’s foreign ministers for warning of the risks such technology poses, but opinions remain split over whether it merits more research, with the European Union keeping its position open for now. At a joint council meeting in Luxembourg, ministers representing the EU’s 27 member states signed off on a statement agreeing for the first time that they were “concerned that large-scale climate interventions, in particular solar radiation modification (SRM), pose significant risks for the climate, the environment, security and geopolitics”. Their statement, issued in late April, called for a moratorium on deployment of SRM technologies, as well as “the full application of the precautionary principle to geoengineering” and for the EU to engage in international talks on international governance arrangements, including those related to research. SRM refers to any deliberate attempt to reduce the amount of heat which reaches the Earth from the sun. This could be carried out by artificially brightening clouds or injecting aerosols into the atmosphere, which could reduce or reverse global warming but risk severe and unpredictable side-effects. Jun 12, 2025 News Deep-sea geoengineering set for scrutiny, as ocean treaty approval nears The High Seas Treaty could require environmental impact assessments and consultation for marine carbon dioxide removal projects Read more Feb 3, 2025 Energy Arctic geoengineering experiment shuts down over environmental risks US-based nonprofit Arctic Ice Project has cancelled tests in Alaska because of potential disruption to the food chain Read more Dec 9, 2024 News EU should push for global deal to curb solar geoengineering, advisors say Europe’s first scientific advice on the technology urges Brussels to prevent its deployment, leaving room for limited outdoor research Read more The risks of carrying out SRM a