There are growing calls for research on ‘solar geoengineering’, a set of entirely speculative technologies to reflect some incoming sunlight back into space in order to limit global warming and ‘dim the sun’.

We oppose such emerging initiatives to explore planetary techno-fixes as a climate policy option. Solar geoengineering at planetary scale cannot be fairly and effectively governed in the current system of international institutions. It poses unacceptable risks if ever implemented as part of future climate policy. Solar geoengineering does not address the root cause of climate change and does not reduce greenhouse gas emissions and concentrations. Instead, solar geoengineering focuses on 'symptom treatment’, seeking to limit global warming by merely masking the effect of greenhouse gas emissions.

In short, solar geoengineering is wrong. We urgently need a strong political message from governments, the United Nations, and civil society.

We call for an International Non-Use Agreement on Solar Geoengineering.

We call upon governments and other relevant actors to commit to at least five measures:

1.     To prohibit national funding agencies from supporting the development of technologies for solar geoengineering, domestically and through international institutions;

2.     To ban outdoor experiments of solar geoengineering technologies in areas under their jurisdiction;

3.     To not grant patent rights for technologies for solar geoengineering, including supporting technologies such as for the retrofitting of airplanes for aerosol injections;

4.     To not deploy technologies for solar geoengineering if developed by third parties;

5.     To object to future institutionalization of planetary solar geoengineering as a policy option in relevant international institutions, including assessments by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

An International Non-Use Agreement on Solar Geoengineering is needed now.

Sign this petition to governments, the United Nations and other actors to stop the development and potential use of planetary-scale solar geoengineering technologies. 

Let your government know that you also think that solar geoengineering poses unacceptable risks as a future climate policy option. 

Sign here!