University group calls for clarity on ‘do no harm’ principle

Cesaer says EU’s environmental impact requirement is “slowing down” research

The European university group Cesaer has asked the EU to clarify its stance around asking applicants to its research and innovation funding schemes to prove their proposed work will not harm the environment.

The European Commission introduced the ‘do no significant harm’ principle to parts of the EU’s Horizon Europe R&I programme in 2021 as an extra check on the potential environmental impact of a project.