INTRODUCTION

 It refers to deliberate efforts to manipulate the climate by reflecting more sunlight back into space, mimicking a natural process that occurs in the aftermath of large volcanic eruptions. 

Climate engineering is classified into two groups of techniques: 

Carbon dioxide removal (CDR): It removes and stores the emitted carbon dioxide from the atmosphere 

Solar radiation modification (SRM): It reflects sunlight back to space.

Need for Climate Engineering

• Tackling CO2 Emissions: Since the industrial era, human activities have released 1.74 trillion tons of carbon dioxide, primarily from fossil fuel use. Although efforts to reduce emissions are underway, current removal methods only eliminate around 2 billion tons annually. With over 37 billion tons added yearly, achieving Net Zero emissions may take time, prompting consideration of climate engineering as an interim solution.

• Exploration and Research: Engaging in climate engineering research enables scientists to gain deeper insights into the potential outcomes, constraints, and hazards linked to extensive interventions.

Benefits of Climate Engineering

• Immediate Climate Change Mitigation : This strategies focus on promptly addressing the challenges posed by global warming. These techniques aim to swiftly cool the Earth's temperature by either reflecting sunlight away from the planet or removing carbon dioxide, a major greenhouse gas, from the atmosphere. 

• Global Temperature Regulation: To complement mitigation and adaptation strategies, climate engineering could help regulate global temperatures and reduce the severity of heatwaves, extreme weather events, and sea level rise.

• Emergency Situations: In scenarios where the impacts of climate change become catastrophic and there is an urgent need to cool the planet quickly, certain forms of climate engineering might be considered as emergency measures.

Case studies in India and across the world

India- Research Projects 

• The Department of Science and Technology (DST),  is a leading funding agency for scientific research in India. It designated Geo-engineering as part of its Major R&D Project (MRDP) list. These carefully selected projects are assigned to specific universities and institutions for research purposes.

• The Centre for Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences (CAOS) at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru, Karnataka, has been entrusted with spearheading geo-engineering research in India.

Australia - Safeguarding Great Barrier Reef

• Australia is presently investigating the practicality of implementing a rapid cooling strategy for the Great Barrier Reef to avert its deterioration. 

• This initiative aims to counteract the adverse effects of rising ocean temperatures, which threaten the reef's health and biodiversity. 

• The proposed method involves utilising various techniques, such as shading, cloud brightening, or injecting cool water, to reduce sea surface temperatures and mitigate coral bleaching events. 

• The objective is to safeguard the ecological integrity of the Great Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage site of global significance, from the impacts of climate change-induced warming.

UK - Research Project

• The UK government has unveiled a five-year research initiative investing £10.5 million. This effort aims to conduct independent risk-risk analyses, offering crucial evidence in the emerging field of geoengineering

Switzerland - UN Expert Group

• Switzerland had submitted a proposal to the UNEA to set up the first UN expert group to “examine risks and opportunities” of SRM. The panel would have been made up of specialists appointed by governments and representatives of international scientific bodies.

Challenges

• Cost: While climate engineering is considered cheaper than ending greenhouse gas emissions, the development and deployment of the necessary technology would still require billions of dollars and years of effort. 

• Risk of Privatisation:Privatising core geoengineering technologies could undermine transparency and trust needed for responsible deployment decisions. This approach may prioritise profit over public safety and environmental concerns, potentially leading to inadequate oversight and regulation.

• Free Driver Problem: Despite financial hurdles, a single country or coalition could undertake climate engineering efforts independently. This raises concerns about unilateral global climate influence, termed the "free driver" problem, wherein the initiating entity may impact global climate without consent of others or accountability to the international community.

• Cross Border Conflicts: Implementing climate engineering projects borders may alter temperature, rainfall, and extreme weather events, affecting neighbouring countries' agriculture, water resources etc. This can lead to conflicts and geopolitical tensions. 

• Reliance on Climate Models:Large-scale climate engineering projects have not been conducted,we rely heavily on climate models to predict their effects. However, while climate models excel in studying the climate system, they lack the capability to address geopolitical and conflict-related questions.

• Commercialization: Some startups are already raising doubts among potential investors and customers about the legitimacy of their actions as a scientific endeavour.

Eg: A startup named Make Sunsets claims to have deployed weather balloons releasing reflective sulphur particles into the stratosphere, potentially crossing a contentious boundary in solar geoengineering. Researchers, long involved in studying this technology, express deep concern over Make Sunsets' actions, conducting launches in Mexico without public engagement or scientific scrutiny. It's now selling "cooling credits" for future balloon flights.

• Unethical Actions: This could set back the scientific field, reducing funding, dampening government support for trusted research, and accelerating calls to restrict studies in the field of climate engineering

• Opposition of African Countries: African nations expressed opposition towards anything facilitating SRM. They proposed a global governance mechanism to prevent SRM use, arguing that environmental risks are substantial and that SRM undermines genuine climate solutions.

Way Forward

• Focus on vulnerable regions: Careful consideration is needed to ensure climate engineering does not disproportionately harm vulnerable regions or exacerbate existing inequalities.

• Formation of a Scientific Group: Countries like the United States proposed the establishment of a formal scientific group at the United Nations Environment Assembly in March 2024. This helps to assess the risks and benefits before implementing any measures.

• Formulate clear rules for research: Establishing comprehensive oversight and clear guidelines for responsible geoengineering research is urgently needed. This will help determine whether experiments can proceed and under what conditions they may be permitted.

• Inclusion of Developing Countries: These nations often bear the brunt of climate change impacts and possess valuable knowledge for innovation. Their perspectives can lead to more equitable solutions. Eg: An NGO named DEGREES (DEveloping country Governance REsearch and Evaluation for SRM) has been working for over a decade to ensure a more inclusive global conversation around SRM.

• Legislation: Countries should introduce legislation that regulates climate action while also considering the transboundary impact of their decisions on all human beings and ecosystems.

CONCLUSION

The absence of intergovernmental knowledge sharing and research creates a void, risking competition among leading states. Without coordination, states face individual challenges related to climate engineering's scientific, political, ethical, and democrat

Tags:
Polity

Keywords:
United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) Climate Engineering Geo Engineering