By Alia Hassan, Director of International Policy, and Hassaan Sipra, Director of Global Engagement
Last week, the European Union (EU) published three major reports – a Scientific Opinion, an Ethical Opinion, and an Evidence Review Report – that aim to guide the European Commission (EC) in forming a position on the research and potential deployment of Solar Radiation Modification (SRM) technologies, including in international deliberations. Together, these reports reflect the EU’s precautionary approach, offering a comprehensive view of SRM’s complexities and emphasizing the need for wisdom, restraint, and inclusive governance, to address the root cause of the climate crisis: greenhouse gas emissions mitigation.
The EU has engaged with SRM in recent years by funding research* into its governance, ethics and implications, and tasking the Group of Chief Scientific Advisors of the European Commission (EC) to prepare a scoping paper. These newly released reports deepen this engagement, examining not only the science of SRM but also its ethical, social, and geopolitical dimensions. Among the key recommendations outlined in these reports are:
- A moratorium on SRM deployment in the near future, with reassessments of the scientific evidence every 5-10 years;
- Responsible SRM research that prioritizes transparency and global cooperation; and
- The establishment of a global governance framework with public consultations to guide international negotiations.
The reports also highlight the need to address risks such as militarization, unilateral action, and inequitable outcomes. Importantly, the opinions strongly oppose the use of SRM ‘cooling credits’ in multilateral climate agreements, cautioning against mechanisms that could undermine mitigation efforts.
At their core, the opinions raise fundamental questions about equity, responsibility, and justice. SRM represents far more than a scientific proposition; it is a global question that compels us to confront power, legitimacy, and moral hazards, particularly for regions already disproportionately impacted by climate change.
DSG’s Perspective
We welcome the EU precautionary recommendations and alignment with frameworks such as the CBD COP10 decision X/33 and the Climate Overshoot Commission’s guidance. We support a moratorium on SRM deployment as a necessary safeguard at this time and firmly believe that thoughtful and inclusive exploration of SRM must continue – but only under sufficient guardrails. These guardrails must be robust and informed by transparent evidence and globally inclusive frameworks, shaped through meaningful participation, particularly from Global South stakeholders and vulnerable communities.
The publication of these reports reaffirms DSG’s commitment to advancing just and inclusive deliberation on SRM. These reports mark a crucial step toward transparent, multilateral, and responsible climate governance.
Looking ahead, DSG urges the EU to proactively elevate Global South and vulnerable voices with funding and institutional support for local research and regional capacity building to shape the conversation on SRM risks and governance. DSG views this as a crucial element in ensuring meaningful and equitable participation. These reports remind us that engagement around SRM demands humility, equity, and foresight. The world cannot afford missteps. As we navigate this complex terrain, DSG will continue to engage with diverse stakeholders on the challenges posed by worsening climate change and potential SRM responses.
*EU-funded projects are Conditions for Responsible Research of SRM – Analysis, Co-Creation, and Ethos (Co-CREATE), Ethics for Technologies with High Socio-Economic Impact (TechEthos), and GeoEngineering and NegatIve Emissions pathways in Europe (GENIE).