UNESCO report warns of geoengineering risks

Due to the current knowledge gap in the area, UNESCO believes it is impossible to fully anticipate the consequences of geoengineering, and its report highlights numerous risks associated with it. UNESCO says the strategy could undermine existing climate policies and divert funding from emissions reduction and adaptation efforts. The high cost of these technologies could further exacerbate global inequalities, especially in terms of the distribution of risks. According to UNESCO, climate engineering tools could also have the potential for military or geopolitical use, accentuating the need for a framework of international governance.

“In the face of the environmental emergency, we should consider all options at hand, including climate engineering,” said Gabriela Ramos, UNESCO assistant-director general for Social and Human Sciences. “However, their deployment should not come at the expense of the commitments made under the Paris Agreement, and not without a clearly established ethical framework. UNESCO will work with its Member States to build such a framework.”