On the Design of an International Governance Framework for Geoengineering

Abstract

This article explores the global governance options surrounding the deliberate, large-scale manipulation of the Earth’s climate system to counteract climate change, known as geoengineering. The term geoengineering encompasses a broad range of techniques with different governance considerations. Here we only consider those methods that affect the net incoming solar radiation to the atmosphere, often referred to as solar radiation management (SRM). We do not consider methods that remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, referred to as carbon dioxide removal (CDR), which has separate governance considerations.1 We pose three questions. Will an international framework on SRM be needed? What are the main characteristics that should be included in the design of a governance regime? Is the proposed governance regime feasible?