Conditions for Responsible Research of SRM – Analysis, Co-Creation, and Ethos

The Co-CREATE project investigates the governance and conditions for responsible research of Solar Radiation Modification (SRM), a group of methods to increase the Earth's reflectivity (albedo). The project takes a multidisciplinary perspective on SRM research and its responsibility, combining natural science, social science and legal perspectives, as well as from the general public's viewpoint, including ethical and justice issues.

SRM methods are one of the main groups of geoengineering or climate intervention methods, aiming to temporarily limit global warming by reducing the amount of solar radiation reaching the Earth's surface, by increasing the Earth's reflectivity (albedo). These methods include adding reflective particles to the upper atmosphere (Stratospheric Aerosol Injection, SAI) and brightening marine clouds (Marine Cloud Brightening, MCB), space-based methods such as sunshades, and sea-ice modification.

The research on SRM technologies is controversial, as some fear it may weaken the political will to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and focus too much on technical solutions.
The Co-CREATE project produces guidelines to support decision-making regarding the research and field experiments of solar radiation modification methods. The project's goal is to develop and propose possible governance frameworks for SRM research and experiments in the European research area, in collaboration with stakeholders and rightsholders. This includes considering scientific and societal perspectives in decision-making about when and under what conditions SRM research and experiments may be justified. The project uses a broad co-creation process, inviting experts, stakeholders, and rightsholders to participate, including Arctic Indigenous Peoples and communities from the Global South. This ensures that the project's results reflect the views of diverse voices, cultural contexts, and value systems.

The Co-CREATE project is implemented by a large European consortium led by Perspectives GmbH. The network includes partners from Finland, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, France, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Poland. The project is carried out from 2024 to 2027 with funding from the European Union's Horizon Europe program.