Ban atmospheric geoengineering in UK

Prohibit all atmospheric geoengineering and weather-modification in the UK. These practices could raise environmental and public health concerns and lack transparency. We call for independent research, democratic oversight, and clear law.

Atmospheric geoengineering and weather-modification may pose serious risks to public health, air quality, ecosystems, agriculture, and weather stability. The public deserves clarity about activities that could affect the environment and well-being. Precautionary action is needed to prevent harm, protect public trust, and ensure environmental decisions are evidence-based, accountable, and safe.

Weather modification typically refers to deliberate actions taken to influence local weather conditions over short timeframes. The UK does not undertake any form of weather modification. Atmospheric geoengineering, also referred to as solar radiation modification (SRM), describes a set of technologies that could theoretically cool the Earth largely by reflecting some of the sun’s energy back into space. The Government is not in favour of deploying SRM and has no plans to do so.

Our focus is on tackling the underlying causes of climate change by delivering a clean energy transition and raising international climate mitigation ambition. Our priority is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from human activities and to adapt to the unavoidable impacts of climate change.

The Government recognises the need to understand the risks and impacts of SRM. We support independent research that is responsible and transparent, complies with domestic and international regulations, and strengthens the evidence base on atmospheric geoengineering.

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero