Oxford Geoengineering Programme

The Oxford Martin Programme on Geoengineering was established in 2010 and concluded in 2022. The following page is an archived resource.

The Challenge

The Oxford Geoengineering Programme seeks to engage with society about the issues associated with geoengineering and conduct research into some of the proposed techniques.

Geoengineering is the deliberate, large-scale intervention in the Earth’s natural systems to address climate change. Although we believe that society’s first priority should be to reduce global carbon emissions, in dealing with climate change it may be wise to consider geoengineering the climate to reduce the harmful levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

The programme does not advocate implementing geoengineering, but it does advocate conducting research into the social, ethical and technical aspects of geoengineering. This research must be conducted in a transparent and socially informed manner.

Our programme is a unique partnership that includes engineers, natural scientists and experts in governance to focus equally on robust science and thoroughly considered ethics. A core component of our activity includes engagement with policy makers, opinion formers and environmental NGOs to build a collaborative and multi-perspective platform for open debate.

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New Year's Honour for Professor Myles Allen

Professor Myles Allen has been named among seven members of the University of Oxford who have been recognised for their outstanding achievements in the New Year's Honours list for 2022.

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Oxford Net Zero launches to tackle global carbon emissions

The Oxford Net Zero initiative draws on the university’s world-leading expertise in climate science and policy, addressing the critical issue of how to reach global ‘net zero’ – limiting greenhouse gases – in time to halt global warming.

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Planetary alignment for global Net Zero

Next year will see an alignment of three of the big planetary bodies of diplomatic summitry – the UNFCCC’s Conference of the Parties (COP26), the G7 and the G20.

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Professor Steve Rayner announced as 2020 Paradigm Award winner

Professor Steve Rayner, James Martin Professor of Science and Civilization and Lead Researcher on three current Oxford Martin School programmes, has been announced as the winner of the 2020 Paradigm Award by the Breakthrough Institute.

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Professor Gideon Henderson appointed Defra Chief Scientific Adviser

Professor Gideon Henderson has been appointed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to be the department’s new Chief Scientific Adviser.

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UK net zero emissions commitment: ‘Humanity can’t afford not to adopt such targets’ say researchers

Climate experts and economists at the Oxford Martin School have welcomed the Prime Minister’s announcement today that the UK will eradicate its net contribution to climate change by 2050.

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