Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with the Advanced Research and Invention Agency on geoengineering proposals that aim to block sunlight.

The Secretary of State has regular discussions with ARIA on a range of matters. As set out in ARIA’s Framework Agreement, ARIA has unique operational freedoms, including over its research and project choice and its procedures. This independence allows ARIA to take bold steps to better understand the world we live in, and the Government supports ARIA exploring critical areas like this.

The government is not in favour of using Solar Radiation Modification. ARIA is an independent research body and they are conducting cautious, controlled research aimed at improving understanding of its risks and impacts. The government supports ARIA’s mission to fund transformational research programmes with long-term benefits.

For further detail on ARIA’s ‘Exploring Climate Cooling’ programme specifically, I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I provided on 2 May 2025 to Question UIN 47970.