Geoengineering - Carbon Dioxide Removal and Solar Radiation Management
Why it Matters?
NITI Aayog, CEEW, and CSEP hosted a high-level workshop on geoengineering discussing Carbon Dioxide Removal and Solar Radiation Management. Experts emphasized rigorous research, governance, risk management, and India’s role in moonshot climate technologies while prioritizing mitigation, equity, and sustainable low-carbon development.
What You Should Know?
Geoengineering refers to large-scale interventions in the Earth’s climate system to counter climate change.
Two broad approaches of Geoengineering:
Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR)
Aim: To remove CO₂ from the atmosphere and store it durably.
Techniques include:
Afforestation and Reforestation
Biochar (carbon-rich product from biomass)
Enhanced Rock Weathering (accelerating natural mineral processes to capture CO₂)
Ocean-based approaches (fertilisation to enhance phytoplankton growth)
Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) in geological formations
Solar Radiation Management (SRM)
Aim: To reduce solar radiation reaching Earth and cool the planet.
Techniques:
Stratospheric Aerosol Injection (releasing reflective particles in the atmosphere)
Marine Cloud Brightening (increasing cloud reflectivity)
Space-based reflectors (theoretical mirrors in space)