Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what is the scope of Project REFLECT under the Advanced Research and Invention Agency.

The Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA) is an independent research body, and they are conducting cautious, controlled research aimed at improving understanding of the risks and impacts of Solar Radiation Modification. This will produce important information for decisions around the world.

Project REFLECT, funded under ARIA’s ‘Exploring Climate Cooling’ programme, looks to investigate Marine Cloud Brightening, by exploring whether spraying seawater could increase the reflectivity of clouds. The programme aims to responsibly test various methods of spraying seawater to explore the risks and viability of this approach. Over an initial 3-year period, the project will focus on computer modelling and indoor tests. Further information on ARIA’s programme oversight and governance principles is available on their website: https://aria.org.uk/opportunity-spaces/future-proofing-our-climate-and-weather/exploring-climate-cooling/.

Whilst the government is not in favour of using Solar Radiation Modification, the government supports ARIA’s mission to fund transformational research programmes with long-term benefits.