In a written answer on 12 June 2026, Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation Ekaterina Zaharieva told the European Parliament that the European Commission cannot provide a comprehensive list of EU-funded projects on weather modification and geoengineering technologies, citing the lack of a legal definition for 'geoengineering' and the broad, variable interpretation of the term. The answer, responding to a question from MEP Anja Arndt (ESN) submitted on 23 March 2026, impacts researchers and institutions seeking clarity on EU funding in this field, as well as policymakers and environmental groups monitoring the bloc's stance on climate intervention technologies.
The Commissioner noted that the EU has no legal definition for geoengineering, but referenced the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change for guidance. She stated that due to the broad scope, it is not possible to provide a comprehensive list of projects or entities involved. However, she pointed to the Community Research and Development Information Service (CORDIS) as a resource where information on specific projects funded under the Research and Innovation Framework Programmes can be extracted, depending on the interpretation of 'geoengineering'. The Commission also confirmed it is not aware of any EU-funded research activities specifically on weather modification.
The answer is largely declarative and offers no concrete proposals, numerical targets, or deadlines. It signals a cautious, hands-off policy orientation, with the Commission deferring to existing databases rather than compiling a centralised registry. No immediate institutional follow-up is expected, but the response may prompt further parliamentary scrutiny or calls for a clearer EU definition of geoengineering technologies.
← Atlas › News › Environment