As the Arctic warms at an unprecedented pace, proposals to intervene in the climate system are receiving increasing attention? But what could they actually achieve, and at what environmental, social and economic cost?
GRID-Arendal is coordinating a UArctic-led initiative to systematically assess proposed climate interventions in the Arctic and northern regions. The first three draft assessments, focusing on the atmosphere, sea ice and ice sheets, are now open for public review, inviting experts, stakeholders and interested members of the wider community to contribute before 4 December 2026.
The first three academic assessments of the University of the Arctic (UArctic) Climate Interventions projectare now available for public review. This round of assessments addresses interventions relating to the Atmosphere, Sea Ice, and Ice Sheets. Up until 4 December 2026, anyone interested in contributing to the reviews is invited to read the documents and register to submit comments online here.
Global warming is driving rapid changes in the Earth’s frozen regions, with serious implications for ecosystems and communities in the Arctic and beyond. While reducing greenhouse gas emissions remains the highest priority for addressing climate change, the urgency of the situation has also led to a wide range of proposals for interventions that might mitigate the impacts of climate change or reduce the likelihood of crossing climate tipping points.
While many concerns have been raised about the drawbacks and risks of such interventions, there had been no systematic assessment of these approaches and their potential environmental, social, and economic consequences. In response, the University of the Arctic initiated a project, coordinated by GRID-Arendal, to assess climate interventions aimed at the Earth’s polar and northern regions.
Expert review teams for Atmosphere, Sea Ice, and Ice Sheets were formed to assess each intervention idea against a standard set of 12 criteria. We are now seeking comments from the wider community. The review teams, together with the UArctic Climate Interventions group, will consider the comments and incorporate relevant changes into the assessments. Final reports are expected to be released in early 2027.
In parallel, an independent Indigenous assessment, led by the Sámi Council, is being conducted, providing a complementary perspective on the interventions.
For further inquiries, please contact:
Tiina Kurvits, Senior Specialist
Background:
Release date: 10 Oct 2026
