Why It’s Time
Solar geoengineering research is advancing rapidly amid growing concern about unchecked climate warming and its devastating impacts. At the same time, these technologies are facing increasing political scrutiny. Recent controversies around attempted field experiments have already illustrated that research without legitimate governance quickly loses public trust.
While there is broad agreement that solar geoengineering research must meet clear standards for transparency, public engagement, scientific merit, and accountability, what has been missing is a common way to put those expectations into practice consistently across institutions and borders.
At a moment when formal multilateral pathways remain uncertain and geopolitical trust is strained, SGRG offers a shared, voluntary framework that institutions can use to make governance practices visible and comparable across borders. Rather than authorizing or prohibiting research, the Platform focuses on making responsible governance easier to implement and easier to demonstrate.
What The Platform Is
Following its launch and once the full set of nodal partners is assembled, SGRG will co-develop a shared set of tools and norms, including:
A living Research Governance Charter
A public transparency and disclosure system
Engagement guidance and oversight
Independent scientific merit review options
Accountability frameworks
A research question database
These tools are designed to apply proportionally across modeling, laboratory studies, and outdoor experiments, recognizing that governance needs differ by context while core principles remain constant.
The Platform is designed to support global legitimacy from the outset. Regional nodes will shape how governance is applied in different contexts, with Global South institutions playing leadership roles. Funding sources and governance processes will be publicly disclosed, and core tools will be openly licensed and non-exclusive to prevent private control.
Voices Of Our Partners
“Guided by global voices across research and practice, AGU created the Ethical Framework for Climate Intervention Research. Now, we are excited to be a founding Nodal partner for SGRG to promote inclusive and transparent SRM research practices,” said Janice R. Lachance, AGU Executive Director and CEO.
As shared norms take shape, institutions that align with SGRG practices will be able to show how governance expectations are being met, access outside expert review where gaps exist, and draw on shared engagement guidance. The UK Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA), currently the largest public funder of SRM research through their Exploring Climate Cooling research programme, is committed to working collaboratively with SGRG to share their learnings from research governance implementation thus far. The Exploring Climate Cooling programme team sees mutual benefit from cooperation with SGRG and will work towards ARIA being the first institutional adopter of future SGRG principles and practices.
“Solar geoengineering research activity is increasing, but the governance infrastructure has not kept pace,” said Richie Kaur, Senior Advocate at NRDC. “This effort is about closing that gap and making sure the research prioritizes public interests, not private profits.”
Dr. Arunabha Ghosh, CEEW CEO, shared that “the SGRG could ensure that governance grows alongside the science, building transparency, accountability, and collaboration from the beginning.” “Good governance does not slow research; it makes knowledge credible, inclusive, and useful for countries most vulnerable to climate impacts.”
What’s Next?
This announcement marks the beginning of a co-development phase. In the coming weeks, partners will finalize initial governance components and confirm additional nodal partners. An in-person convening planned for Summer 2026 will bring partners and experts together to co-draft the Research Governance Charter and agree on early implementation pathways. The official launch of the SGRG Platform, including initial tools and governance structures, is planned for July 2026.
Interested in learning more? Contact us for more information.
