Mapping justice claims for solar geoengineering

Solar geoengineering is a set of controversial emerging technologies that seek to cool the planet by reflecting sunlight. These technologies may be able to reduce the worst impacts of climate change by lowering global temperatures temporarily. They also come with great risks, including as related to technological lock in and mitigation deterrence, among others. Balancing these potential risks and benefits demands a careful interrogation of justice and ethics. Unlike many scholars who assert a clear justice landscape, we argue here that the terrain is complicated, nuanced, and not fully mapped. In this essay we explore three core narratives at the intersection of solar geoengineering and justice: intergenerational ethics; participatory justice; and recognitional/reparational justice. We conclude that discussions, debates, and research surrounding justice in the solar geoengineering space should be more focused on the justice of the procedures and practices used in this space, rather than on the justice of specific outcomes that could be secured by solar geoengineering. In focusing on just processes and practices for technological innovation and governance we could enhance our capacity to co-create a world where any decisions on solar geoengineering, whether to ban it or move it forward, are based on thoughtful, ethical, and participatory decision-making that speaks to the interests of all people potentially affected by solar geoengineering.