Why in News?
Recently, The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) report emphasizes the ethical risks associated with Climate Engineering.
Ethical Concerns in Climate Engineering:
| Concerns | Description |
| Undermining Climate Policies | Potential risk of climate engineering diverting resources from crucial emission reduction and adaptation efforts. |
| Economic Inequalities | The high costs of developing and deploying these technologies may exacerbate global economic inequalities. |
| Slippery Slope | It could facilitate the acceleration toward deployment without any ethical framework e.g., it impacts biodiversity, and the ecosystem. |
| Moral Hazard | It could provide polluters with an excuse to not reduce the use of fossil fuels. |
| Military or Geo-political Use | Geoengineering tools may be exploited for military or geopolitical purposes, necessitating strengthened global governance efforts. |
| Knowledge Gaps and Uncertainties | Lack of comprehensive understanding and potential chain reactions pose risks to humans, the ocean, temperature, and biodiversity. |
| Dependency and Phase-out Challenges | Creating a dependency on these technologies raises questions about when and how to phase them out, impacting climate actions. |
| Transboundary Impact | Countries must consider the potential transboundary impacts of their climate engineering decisions. |
More about
- UNESCO’s World Commission on the Ethics of Scientific Knowledge and Technology (COMEST) has recently issued its first report focusing on the Ethics of Climate Engineering.
- Established by UNESCO in 1998, COMEST serves as both an advisory body and a forum for reflection, and its inaugural report delves into the ethical considerations surrounding climate engineering.
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
About: The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations with the primary goal of promoting global peace and security. It achieves this through fostering international cooperation in the realms of education, arts, sciences, and culture.
Genesis: Established in 1945.
Objective: To contribute to the establishment of a culture of peace, the elimination of poverty, and the facilitation of intercultural dialogue. UNESCO pursues these objectives through initiatives in education, the sciences, culture, communication, and information.
Initiatives:
- Universal Copyright Convention (1952)
- Man and the Biosphere program (1971)
- World Heritage Convention (1972)
- Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (2003)
Climate Engineering
Climate Engineering, alternatively referred to as “geoengineering,” involves purposeful and extensive interventions in the Earth’s climate system with the aim of addressing climate change. This field is typically categorized into two groups:
- Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR): This process involves extracting carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere.
- Solar Radiation Modification (SRM): This technique focuses on reflecting sunlight back into space.
Key ethical concerns with Climate Engineering
“Slippery Slope” Concerns: The suggested solution may give rise to a “slippery slope,” hastening deployment without an established ethical framework.
“Moral Hazard” from Techniques: The employed techniques could introduce a “moral hazard,” enabling stakeholders to persist in not reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
Corporate Influence for Economic Gain: Corporations might advocate for these solutions with the primary goal of achieving economic benefits.
Potential Military or Geo-Political Use: Geoengineering tools hold the potential for utilization in military or geo-political contexts.
Recommendation for reducing risks
- States must introduce legislation that regulates new forms of climate action.
- The research on climate engineering should adhere to ethical standards that align with international law.
- Climate engineering policies should involve marginalized communities in their consideration and participation.
Conclusion:
The current intergovernmental discussions during COP28 must cover the ethical aspects of climate engineering so that they align with ethical frameworks and Paris Agreement commitments.
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