Perspectives on Solar Radiation Modification Governance

This event, organized by Switzerland within the framework of the Geneva Environment Network, aims to take stock of recent UN publications referring to Solar Radiation Modification bringing together stakeholders from different fields to provide their perspectives on solar radiation modification governance.

About this Session

Increased and urgent action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, phase out fossil fuel, and invest in adapting to the impacts of climate change remains an immutable goal to tackle the climate crisis.

However, current efforts remain insufficient. Scientists and policy makers acknowledge that even drastic emission reduction over the next years will not be sufficient to limit temperature rise and meet the 1.5–2°C goal of the Paris Agreement. No pathway envisioned by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) could limit global warming under 1.5°C through emissions reduction alone (IPCC, 2018 & 2021).

As the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Executive Director Inger Andersen has raised in the UNEP Independent Expert Review (2023), increasing number of voices are calling for and preparing “emergency” options to keep global temperature rise in check. Technologies that can artificially cool the planet, such as Solar Radiation Modification (SRM), could be seen as tools to counter the negative effects of the climate crisis, as they have potential to offset warming and ameliorate some climate hazards (IPCC, 2022)

On the other hand, though SRM could offset some of the effects of anthropogenic warming on global and regional climate, large uncertainties and knowledge gaps are associated with the potential of SRM approaches to reduce climate change risks (IPCC, 2022).

If CO2 concentrations continue to increase, there are concerns over unseen impacts caused by largescale SRM approaches that could lead to an increased chance of a devastating impact on ecosystems of a sudden and sustained cessation of a large SRM deployment (the ‘termination shock’) (UNEP Independent Expert Review, 2023).

Moreover, despite increased calls study of SRM’s effects, there are concerns of potential impacts on the effective enjoyment of human rights these technologies can have on communities, especially of those in already vulnerable situations. As UN Special Rapporteur on toxics and human rights highlighted, though climate action is indispensable and urgent, it is neither legitimate nor sustainable if it exacerbates toxic pollution and the concomitant human rights infringements.”

Within this ongoing discussion, this event aims to take stock of recent UN publications referring to SRM. These include the UNEP Independent Expert Review on solar radiation modification research and deployment, the report of the Human Rights Council Advisory Committee on the impact of new technologies for climate protection on the enjoyment of human rights (A/HRC/54/47), and mentions of SRM in reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

The event, organized by Switzerland within the framework of the Geneva Environment Network, also brings together stakeholders from different fields to provide their perspectives on solar radiation management governance.

Speakers

Additional speakers to be confirmed.

H.E. Amb. Felix WERTLI

Switzerland Ambassador for the Environment

Andrea HINWOOD

Chief Scientist, UNEP

Magnus LØVOLD

Project Supervisor, Norwegian Academy of International Law | Moderator

Registration

This event will take place at the International Environment House 2.