Authoritative statements and language from recent human rights expert reports MEDIA BRIEF

This media brief by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) compiles authoritative language and findings from recent human rights expert reports and principles regarding geoengineering technologies, specifically carbon dioxide removal (CDR) and solar radiation modification (SRM). The document highlights warnings from UN bodies and legal frameworks that these technologies are largely unproven, pose unprecedented risks to human rights, and may create a 'moral hazard' by delaying the necessary phase-out of fossil fuels.

• Geoengineering technologies, including new technologies intended for climate protection (NTCPs), are currently considered speculative and unproven. They are not viewed as viable mitigation or adaptation measures because they are unavailable and infeasible at scale, and may actually increase carbon dioxide in the system when the emissions from their construction and operation are included.
• A primary risk of geoengineering is the 'moral hazard,' where the promise of future technological carbon removal acts as a deterrent to immediate emissions cuts and the phase-out of fossil fuels. This diversion of attention from available solutions—such as renewables and the circular economy—is seen as a barrier to the primary goal of climate mitigation.
• The deployment of geoengineering technologies poses massive and disproportionate risks to vulnerable groups, particularly Indigenous Peoples, peasants, and fisherfolk. These risks include forced displacement, deprivation of traditional lands and livelihoods, and interference with food production and biodiversity.
• Human rights experts and frameworks suggest that because of the lack of knowledge regarding risks, NTCPs should be presumed generally harmful to human rights. Recommendations include the adoption of restrictive regulations or moratoria, and specifically a ban on the development and implementation of solar radiation modification (SRM), including stratospheric aerosol injection, which is described as 'ungovernable'.
• International legal frameworks and UN comments emphasize that States have obligations to protect current and future generations from high-risk activities. This includes the obligation to prioritize rapid emissions reductions over unproven future technologies to avoid irreversible damage to nature and violations of children's rights.

APA

Center for International Environmental Law (2023). Authoritative statements and language from recent human rights expert reports MEDIA BRIEF. https://www.ciel.org/news/media-brief-geoengineering-human-rights

Chicago

Center for International Environmental Law. Authoritative statements and language from recent human rights expert reports MEDIA BRIEF. 2023. https://www.ciel.org/news/media-brief-geoengineering-human-rights.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Center for International Environmental Law |title=Authoritative statements and language from recent human rights expert reports MEDIA BRIEF |date=11 September 2023 |url=https://www.ciel.org/news/media-brief-geoengineering-human-rights |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{centerforinternationalenvironmentallaw2023authoritative, author = {{Center for International Environmental Law}}, title = {{Authoritative statements and language from recent human rights expert reports MEDIA BRIEF}}, institution = {Center for International Environmental Law}, year = {2023}, month = sep, url = {https://www.ciel.org/news/media-brief-geoengineering-human-rights}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }