Geoengineering is regarded as “risky” by the Office of Australia’s Chief Scientist, with the sector struggling under little governance or broader policy frameworks according to a recently published report.

 

In the four page report touching on methods to slow down climate change by large-scale geoengineering, concludes it present ''serious risks'' and is unlikely to replace the need to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

 

“Given the difficulty in implementing global action to reduce CO2 emissions from human activities and their continued growth, geoengineering is one possible approach to combat global warming,” the report found.

 

The report is skeptical of the ability of the technology to offset carbon emissions saying that more research must be done in order to better understand its potential.

 

“The amount of carbon that can be stored by planting forests is limited by many factors, including the availability of suitable land, water and nutrients. Estimates suggest that, at best, about 2 to 4 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions from human activities could be offset in this way,” the report concludes.

 

The report can be found here