An international coalition of scientific, policy, and civil society organizations unveiled a new initiative aimed at enhancing the governance of solar geoengineering research. The Solar Geoengineering Research Governance (SGRG) Platform, announced on February 24, 2026, in Glasgow, Scotland, will provide voluntary tools to ensure transparency and public accountability in this rapidly evolving field.
The SGRG Platform seeks to address the urgent need for governance frameworks as solar geoengineering research accelerates. According to Shuchi Talati, Executive Director at the Diverse Stakeholder Group (DSG), “Solar geoengineering research is advancing faster than governance systems can keep pace.” The initiative aims to co-develop governance tools that allow research institutions to demonstrate decision-making processes, manage risks, and address public concerns effectively.
Key Components of the SGRG Platform
The platform is being developed in collaboration with several organizations, including the Alliance for Just Deliberation on Solar Geoengineering, the Council on Energy, Environment and Water, and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). The goal is to establish norms around research governance that are applicable across different regions and sectors.
Among the key features of the SGRG Platform are:
– A living Research Governance Charter that outlines baseline expectations for transparency, public engagement, and scientific merit.
– A public disclosure system that documents research plans, funding sources, and engagement processes.
– Engagement guidance that includes evidence-based expectations and consultation protocols for Indigenous and affected communities.
– Options for independent scientific merit reviews, particularly in cases where no existing agency process applies.
– Accountability frameworks addressing liability and risk management, as well as norms for intellectual property.
– A research question database that prioritizes concerns raised by communities and policymakers.
These tools are designed to be adaptable, recognizing that governance needs will vary depending on the context of the research.
Enhancing Trust and Legitimacy
The SGRG Platform aims to build legitimacy from the outset by incorporating regional nodes that tailor governance applications to local contexts. Institutions in the Global South are expected to play a significant role in this framework. Funding sources and governance processes will be publicly disclosed, ensuring that governance practices are not controlled by private interests.
Dr. Arunabha Ghosh, CEO of the Council on Energy, Environment and Water, emphasized the potential of the SGRG, stating, “The SGRG could ensure that governance grows alongside the science, building transparency, accountability, and collaboration from the beginning.” This framework is seen as essential for making solar geoengineering research credible and inclusive, especially for countries most vulnerable to climate impacts.
The UK Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA), the largest public funder of solar radiation management research, has committed to collaborating with the SGRG. Their Exploring Climate Cooling research programme aims to adopt SGRG principles and practices, setting a precedent for other institutions.
The announcement marks the beginning of a co-development phase, with partners set to finalize initial governance components and confirm additional collaborators. An in-person gathering will take place in the coming weeks to draft the Research Governance Charter and establish early implementation pathways. The SGRG Platform is scheduled to launch officially in July 2026.
As the landscape of solar geoengineering research evolves, the SGRG Platform represents a significant step towards ensuring that governance frameworks keep pace with scientific advancements. Richie Kaur, Senior Advocate at NRDC, encapsulated the initiative’s purpose: “This effort is about closing that gap and making sure the research prioritizes public interests, not private profits.”
