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This briefing note by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) analyzes the International Court of Justice's (ICJ) July 2025 Advisory Opinion (AO) on climate change. It specifically examines how the AO's findings on State obligations—including the duty to prevent harm, stringent due diligence, and the precautionary principle—can be used to challenge reliance on speculative climate interventions (such as geoengineering and carbon capture) and offset-based mitigation measures that may delay the phase-out of fossil fuels.

This briefing by Zero Carbon Analytics examines the concept of 'temperature overshoot'—where global warming exceeds 1.5°C to 2°C before returning to those levels—and the associated risks of triggering irreversible climate tipping points. It argues that while the chance of limiting warming to 1.5°C by 2100 is now 'virtually zero', minimizing the magnitude and duration of overshoot is critical to avoid catastrophic Earth system collapses. The document contrasts dangerous climate tipping points with 'positive socio-economic tipping points' that can accelerate decarbonization, while warning that reliance on carbon dioxide removal (CDR) and geoengineering introduces severe risks and does not replace the need for immediate, deep emissions cuts.

This report details the outcomes of a multilateral simulation workshop held in Bogotá, Colombia, in October 2025. Organized by the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), the Alliance for Just Deliberation on Solar Geoengineering (DSG), and The Degrees Initiative, the event aimed to strengthen the capacity of government representatives and researchers from Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) to engage in international deliberations regarding Solar Radiation Modification (SRM).

This report by the Center for International Environmental Law argues that geoengineering techniques pose severe risks to global biodiversity and human rights, potentially accelerating ecosystem collapse and species extinction. The author contends that these speculative interventions create a 'plan B' illusion that delays essential greenhouse gas emission cuts and advocates for a strict precautionary approach, including the enforcement of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity's de facto moratorium on geoengineering deployment.

This report by the Center for International Environmental Law argues that a restrictive international governance framework for geoengineering already exists across environmental agreements and human rights law, but is being undermined by a proliferation of outdoor experiments and commercial carbon markets.

A statement by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) and Earthjustice welcoming the appointment of Professor Elisa Morgera as the Special Rapporteur on human rights and climate change and commenting on her mapping report.

A joint statement by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) and Earthjustice submitted to the 55th Session of the Human Rights Council, supporting the Special Rapporteur's report on the right to participate in science and its application to climate action and geoengineering.

This policy brief by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) argues that geoengineering technologies are speculative 'fixes' that fail to address the root causes of the climate crisis and instead risk accelerating biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse, and human rights violations.

The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) submitted a statement to the Human Rights Council on September 28, 2023, arguing that geoengineering technologies are incompatible with human rights and should not be deployed or developed.

This media brief by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) compiles authoritative language and findings from recent human rights expert reports and principles regarding geoengineering technologies, specifically carbon dioxide removal (CDR) and solar radiation modification (SRM). The document highlights warnings from UN bodies and legal frameworks that these technologies are largely unproven, pose unprecedented risks to human rights, and may create a 'moral hazard' by delaying the necessary phase-out of fossil fuels.

A statement by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) during the 53rd Session of the Human Rights Council, supporting the UN Secretary-General's report on the right to food and climate change and calling for a transition away from fossil-fuel-dependent industrial agriculture and risky geoengineering.

A statement by the Center for International Environmental Law, FIAN International, and Earthjustice expressing concerns over the Human Rights Council Advisory Committee's drafting process and approach regarding a study on new technologies for climate protection (geoengineering).

A statement by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) during the 50th Session of the Human Rights Council, welcoming the appointment of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of climate change and outlining priority areas for future reports.

A statement by Friends of the Earth International and the Global Campaign to Demand Climate Justice criticizing the Bonn climate conference for a lack of concrete action, the failure of developed nations to provide loss and damage finance, and the promotion of 'false solutions' such as geoengineering and carbon markets.

A statement by the Center for International Environmental Law outlining the necessary conditions for COP26 to achieve real climate ambition, arguing that success requires the phase-out of fossil fuels, equitable financial support for developing nations, and the rejection of 'false solutions' like carbon offsets and geoengineering.

A statement by a representative of Natural Justice detailing first-hand observations of the negative impacts of mining and large-scale infrastructure projects in South Africa and Kenya, arguing that current development models prioritize corporate interests over human rights and environmental sustainability.

In this statement, the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) defends its report 'Fuel to the Fire' against criticisms from geoengineering advocate Jesse Reynolds. CIEL argues that fossil fuel companies and climate denialists have disproportionately influenced the promotion of geoengineering technologies to delay the phase-out of fossil fuels and avoid aggressive emission reductions.

This report by the Center for International Environmental Law examines the fossil fuel industry's involvement in the development and promotion of geoengineering technologies, arguing that these strategies are used to justify the continued use of carbon-intensive fuels and avoid systemic change.

This briefing from Friends of the Earth International identifies 'false climate solutions' promoted by high-emissions industries at COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, and proposes alternatives focused on just transitions and corporate accountability.

This policy brief, published in November 2011 by UNESCO, SCOPE, and UNEP, examines the scientific, policy, and ethical implications of geoengineering (climate engineering). It distinguishes between carbon geoengineering and solar geoengineering, outlines a four-stage research framework, and highlights the urgent need for an international governance framework to manage the risks and equities associated with large-scale climate manipulation.