
SPOTLIGHTING THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE CLIMATE CRISIS
Ethical Framework for Climate Intervention
In 2022, AGU launched its plan to develop an Ethical Framework for Climate Intervention Research, Experimentation and Deployment—an essential and urgent code of conduct to guide climate intervention measures that may be needed in addition to emissions reduction. The Ethical Framework builds off similar initiatives, including the Oxford Principles (2009), the Asilomar recommendations (2010), the Tollgate Principles (2018), and the draft resolution on geoengineering and its governance presented at the United Nations Environment Assembly in 2019.
AGU is seeking opportunities to discuss the Ethical Framework at COP28 and to collaborate with other organizations to demonstrate the crucial role of science in just solutions, policy and research.
READ MORE ABOUT THE ETHICAL FRAMEWORK
A Leader in Open Science
Open science aims to enable the sharing and preservation of data, results and software in an ethical manner that is as open and transparent as possible. These practices accelerate scientific discovery and optimize the benefits of science for all, especially communities that have historically lacked equitable participation and access.
AGU is a proud leader in open science, advancing the effort through publications, meetings, data leadership, community science, policy engagement and career development.
READ MORE ABOUT AGU’S OPEN SCIENCE INITIATIVES
Community Science for Community Priorities
Community Science is the process by which communities and scientists do science together to address one or more environmental priorities. “Doing science” includes defining questions, designing protocols, collecting and analyzing data, and using scientific knowledge in decision-making and planning.
AGU’s Thriving Earth Exchange has pioneered this approach, with more than 250 projects globally. The Community Science Exchange is a partnership between AGU and five scientific societies that includes the Community Science journal to publish high-impact research.
AGU Events at COP28
AGU’s delegation is co-hosting the OCEAN PAVILION; at the COP28 event in Dubai in 2023. AGU will host several panels and events.
Ocean Pavilion Events
Waking Up, Moving Forward: Community Science and Climate Justice
Thursday, 30 November
15:30-16:30 GST
Ready, Set, Act! Coming Together for an Ethical Framework for Climate Intervention Research, Experimentation, and Deployment
Sunday, 3 December
15:30-16:30 GST
It’s a Wide Wide World: The Impact of Ocean Science on Climate Science
Wednesday, 6 December
14:00-15:00 GST
Film Screening: Canary
Wednesday, 6 December
16:00-17:45 GST
Full Steam Ahead: Womens’ Leadership in Ocean Science
Friday, 8 December
9:30-10:30 GST
AGU Side Events
Knowledge to Action: Co-developing Local Solutions to the Climate Crisis
SE Room 6
Saturday, 9 December
16:45-18:15 GST
Advancing Early Warning Systems and Climate Services for All
U.S. Center
Sunday, 10 December
14:30-15:30 GST
Early Warning for Health in Africa
The Climate Registry Pathways to 1.5 Pavilion
Sunday, 10 December
11:00-12:00 GST
AGU23 Townhall: Cryosphere Science and Global Climate Negotiations
160 South, Moscone Center, San Francisco, CA
Monday, 11 December
08:30-09:30 PST, 20:30-21:30 GST
Frequently Asked Questions about AGU and COP
What is AGU?
AGU is a global community supporting more than half a million advocates and professionals in Earth and space sciences. This research includes studying deep into the planet’s core, our worldwide water cycle, atmospheric circulation, out to our planetary neighbors, and even newly discovered worlds far outside our solar system. The Earth and space sciences teach us how our world works, give us insight into environmental hazards and disasters, and reveal the ways in which humans are damaging our natural systems. Our science leads us to understanding our changing world and provides the foundation for solutions that create a thriving and sustainable future.
Through broad and inclusive partnerships, AGU aims to advance discovery and solution science that accelerate knowledge and create solutions that are ethical, unbiased, and respectful of communities and their values. Our programs include serving as a scholarly publisher, convening virtual and in-person events and providing career support. We live our values in everything we do, such as our net zero energy renovated building in Washington, D.C., and our Ethics and Equity Center, which fosters a diverse and inclusive geoscience community to ensure responsible conduct.
What is COP?
COP is the formal annual meeting of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), also called the Conference of the Parties, or COP. The first meeting, or COP1, was held in 1995 in Berlin, Germany, to assess progress towards halting climate change. In early meetings, the parties negotiated the Kyoto Protocol and then measured progress by the signatories. More recently, COP meetings were used to negotiate the Paris Agreement.
Though the primary attention for COP is on the international negotiations, the meeting is also attended by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and individuals who bring critical expertise on climate change and its impacts. These parties typically organize within pavilions that provide a topical focus for bilateral meetings, educational opportunities, and to seek collaborative partners. For example, at COP27, AGU co-hosted the Ocean Pavilion with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and several other leading scientific organizations.
When is COP28 and why is it particularly important?
COP28 will be held from 30 November to 12 December 2023 in Dubai, UAE. This conference is particularly important because the parties will be executing the first global stocktake, an assessment of progress towards the goals of the Paris Agreement. The Dubai meeting will be the first time since the Agreement was enacted in Paris at COP21 that the parties will have to revise their promised climate action.
The Montreal Protocol issues its quadrennial report this year, which will also take stage at COP28, and for the first time it will include a section on a type of climate intervention called solar radiation management, or SRM. Given that the world is not on track to meet its Paris Agreement goals, this might be a moment where the parties at COP28 might begin to seriously consider climate intervention methods.
Why does AGU send a delegation to COP?
COP is where decisions are made that will have world-changing impact. The climate goals that our government leaders decide on and the actions each country will take to meet them must be based on rigorously tested and ethical scientific research.
AGU is the largest Earth and space science association, composed of the world’s leading experts in climate science and its impacts on our environment and to our society. AGU’s membership is represented in more than 140 countries. Research published in AGU journals is widely cited in reports by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Our leadership in open science and community science is critical in advancing policy priorities and solutions that underpin the discussions held at COP. It is our obligation to ensure our science is heard by the people who need this information the most.
Who is in AGU’s delegation?
AGU’s delegation is led by Lisa J. Graumlich, AGU President, and Janice Lachance, AGU’s Interim Executive Director and CEO. The delegation also includes Benjamin Zaitchik, Past-President of AGU's Geohealth section, and Johns Hopkins Ralph O'Connor Sustainable Energy Institute; Mark Shimamoto, Vice President of Global Outreach Programs, AGU; Chris Guillot, Senior Advisor for AGU; and Samson Reiny, Assistant Director, Media and Public Relations, AGU.