In a parliamentary inquiry, the German federal government confirmed that the European Commission holds control and responsibility for geoengineering or projects including chemtrails within the EU. The member states are sidelined.
EU projects involving technological interventions in weather and climate frequently run through the Horizon Europe research program. These projects will not take place over the skies of the European Commission, but rather over those of the national states. Nevertheless, the Commission decides on the projects.
A recent inquiry by AfD members of parliament aimed at clarification: Who decides on EU funding for geoengineering projects, and who is liable for risks? The Commission decides, and there, “independent experts” will evaluate. Do you feel safe?
AfD member Nicole Höchst summarizes the answer to her inquiry as follows:
“The federal government confirms in its response to our small inquiry that it has no authority, review mechanisms, or liability regarding EU-funded geoengineering projects. Real-world laboratories, interventions in cloud formation, or CO₂ removal are carried out under Brussels’ responsibility—Germany pays in but does not review anything. No veto rights, no risk assessment, no legal basis. We demand national oversight, transparency, and liability—before experiments take place in the sky.”
In fact, national governments have no veto rights; they merely participate in discussions about the work program and can, for example, advise applicants through the Federal Ministry for Research, Technology, and Aerospace (BMFTR). Decisions are made in Brussels.
Horizon Europe has a budget of around 95 billion euros for 2021–2027 and funds highly controversial geoengineering technologies. This includes research into Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) and Solar Radiation Management (SRM). While there is no direct application yet, preparations are already well advanced.
CDR encompasses techniques such as afforestation or ocean fertilization to bind CO₂; SRM aims at cooling, for example, by injecting aerosols into the stratosphere. In its response, the government admits that there are no special regulations for real-world laboratories—spaces in the real world where innovative technologies are tested—in Germany. The Commission has control, but funding must comply with national bans.
Concrete projects are already underway through Horizon Europe. The GENIE project(GeoEngineering and NegatIve Emissions pathways in Europe) investigates environmental, social, and ethical aspects of CDR and SRM. It has been running since 2021 and is funded by the EU with millions. Similarly, the Co-CREATE project, which develops guidelines for SRM research. EU scientists are calling for more research and faster progress, as seen here in Science Business.
The Commission intends to massively increase the budget for Horizon Europe. From 95 billion in the last six-year plan to 175 billion (!) for 2028–2034. Brussels justifies this as follows:
“The program enables the implementation of scientifically oriented ‘Moonshot’ projects. These Moonshot projects are intended to position Europe as a global leader in strategic areas and drive progress in fields such as clean aviation, the space economy, and next-generation AI.”
The risks of these technologies are enormous. SRM could disrupt the water cycle, alter precipitation, and deplete the ozone layer, leading to dramatic climate changes. Once started, an abrupt stop is considered highly dangerous and uncertain. In addition, SRM could accelerate ocean acidification. Brussels is clearly setting the course for action—this should not remain theoretical, but the technology should become practical.
However, the federal government sees no particular risk for Germany: “The federal government has no indications of a particular impact or threat to Germany’s security situation regarding research into Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) and Solar Radiation Management (SRM),” it states in the inquiry.
Original source: tkp.at; Thomas Oysmüller, 29 October 2025
