Arctic Geoengineering Between Governance and Science: A Structured Literature Review of the Arctic Geoengineering Discourse

[Geoengineering News]

https://wires.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/wene.70008

Authors

Federica Catonini, Johanna Sophie Buerkert, Kristian Søby Kristensen

First published: 08 May 2025

https://doi.org/10.1002/wene.70008

Abstract

As the Arctic is increasingly experiencing the effects of climate change, specific Arctic geoengineering technologies are considered as possible add-ons to ongoing mitigation efforts. Several technologies are currently discussed, spanning an array of different disciplines and arguments. This paper provides an overview of the ongoing academic discourse on Arctic geoengineering. By using an Environment-People-Security lens, the analysis highlights salient points for the governance of both research and possible deployment of geoengineering. Our findings demonstrate a deep divide between existing research approaches in the literature and a disproportionate focus on technology and feasibility studies in comparison with governance research. In view of the many different risks associated with geoengineering, there is an urgent need for interdisciplinarity in both research and governance, considering different stake- and rights-holders, research approaches, and knowledge transitions in the process.

Source: WIREs