Experts at odds: debating geoengineering  

Published on April 2nd, 2026

Geoengineering raises some of the most complex questions in climate policy, balancing urgency against uncertainty. While some see it as a necessary backup plan, others warn it could undermine efforts to reduce emissions. In this session, experts debated whether geoengineering should be advanced, regulated, or constrained, and what risks it introduces into global governance. 

The full session can be viewed in the recording below.  

Key takeaways

• Geoengineering is viewed both as a necessary option and a potential distraction 

• Research can create pressure for future deployment 

• Governance challenges are central, including power imbalances and geopolitical risks 

• Some approaches, such as solar radiation management, carry high systemic risks 

• Decarbonization remains the most reliable and immediate solution 

Policy recommendation

Build market-based incentives to decarbonize at scale as the primary policy response—before normalizing large-scale geoengineering pathways.

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