iFOREST organised a side event on “Rebooting the Vienna Convention for Stratospheric Aerosol Injection Governance” at the thirty fifth Meeting of the Parties (MOP35) in Nairobi, Kenya. The event was held in the United Nations office on 25th October 2023, with the support of Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation 

The discussion revolved around the pressing threat of escalating global temperatures, and the discourse around Solar Radiation Modification (SRM) as a countermeasure is intensifying. Among the various SRM methods, Stratospheric Aerosol Injection (SAI) is now emerging as a frontrunner. However, there are a host of potential risks and uncertainties associated with SAI to both human populations and ecosystems, including potential damage to the ozone layer.  

Given the rapid developments and high stakes involved, the side-event discussion delved into the critical issue of international governance of SAI research and deployment. The focus was on presenting new analysis and insights from iFOREST on how the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer can be leveraged and revitalized to fortify global governance structures around SAI. This discussion was essential to ensure that any advancements in SAI are conducted responsibly, ethically, and with a thorough understanding of the potential impacts on our planet and its inhabitants.