Perspectives welcomes European reports on Solar Radiation Modification governance

Solar Radiation Modification (SRM) is currently one of the most controversial areas of climate policy. On 9 December, three key reports on SRM were released; two under the Scientific Advice Mechanism—by the Science Advice for Policy by European Academies (SAPEA) and by the European Commission’s Group of Chief Scientific Advisors—and one by the European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies. 

Perspectives’ staff has long studied the governance challenges posed by SRM, and we welcome these new reports seeking to strengthen good SRM governance including already at the research stage. While we fully agree that SRM should not currently be deployed, we hope the EU can ensure that responsible research is publicly funded to inform far-reaching political decisions in the future. 

Perspectives’ Axel Michaelowa was a member of the working group behind the SAPEA evidence review, and Matthias Honegger was consulted on the Chief Scientific Advisors' report. Matthias also previously contributed to the American Geophysical Union’s (AGU) Ethical Framework Principles for Climate Intervention Research, while Axel served on the Advisory Board convened for this AGU framework. 

Perspectives Climate Research is currently leading the EU Horizon-funded Co-CREATE project (running from January 2024 to December 2026), tasked with exploring potential elements for the governance of SRM research—including field experiments. Working with 11 project partners and in continuing exchange with stakeholders, Perspectives will help identify decision-support tools, guidelines, and principles. We hope that European actors will find them helpful to ensure robust decision-making based on strong evidence, stakeholder views, and broader values and concerns. 

We will reflect on the discussion triggered by the new European reports in the Co-CREATE project’s outputs, and we look forward to continuing our work on this challenging governance issue. 

For media inquiries on this topic, contact Axel Michaelowa and Matthias Honegger.

Links to the reports:

Scientific Advice Mechanism, Group of Chief Scientific Advisors, Solar Radiation Modification, Scientific Opinion No. 17

Scientific Advice Mechanism, Science Advice for Policy by European Academies, Solar Radiation Modification, Evidence Review Report

European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies, Solar Radiation Modification, Ethical perspectives, Opinion No. 34