Solar geoengineering research is gaining momentum with rising investments, led by Western nations and private entities, raising geopolitical and environmental questions.
Funding for solar geoengineering rises sharply
Investment in solar geoengineering, or solar radiation modification, has grown significantly, reaching 412 million USD between 2007 and 2026. This includes research, advocacy, awareness, and commercialization efforts aimed at reducing global temperatures by reflecting sunlight.Key funders of solar geoengineering
A major increase in funding since 2020 comes from public entities, philanthropic foundations, and private companies. Notable contributors include the Quadrature Climate Foundation, the Simons Foundation, and Stardust Solutions, which invested 75 million USD.Global distribution of solar geoengineering funding
Western countries dominate funding for solar geoengineering, with the United Kingdom and the United States leading at 118 million USD and 102 million USD respectively. Developing countries receive less than a quarter of the global funding, despite hosting a third of the ongoing projects.Funding sources in developing countries
Nearly all solar geoengineering activities in developing countries are funded by the Degrees Initiative, which itself receives support from the Quadrature Climate Foundation based in the United Kingdom.Report highlights geopolitical implications
The data and visuals presented come from a report titled From a Climate Tool to a Power Instrument: Geopolitical and Defense Implications of Solar Geoengineering, published in October 2026 by the Defense and Climate Observatory.
