A proposal for safety and controllability requirements for Sunlight Reflection Technology (SRT) systems
March 30, 2026
In this document, we present a proposal outlining safety and controllability requirements for Sunlight Reflection Technology (SRT). At its core, this work seeks to address a practical question: what would it take, in concrete terms, for an SRT system to be safe and controllable?
Motivation
We describe this as a proposal for two reasons. First, formal requirements will ultimately be defined by governments and regulatory bodies. Second, we view this document as a starting point - an invitation to the scientific community to engage in rigorous and constructive dialogue on this critical topic.
Three key requirements domains
The proposed requirements are organized into three key domains: safety for humans and the living environment, including considerations related to human health and the broader biosphere; atmospheric chemistry and composition, with a focus on protecting the ozone layer; and the climate system, including a methodology to evaluate and constrain unintended climatic effects. Throughout the document, we have made a deliberate effort to be as specific and actionable as possible, proposing quantitative thresholds and criteria wherever feasible.
Next steps
This requirements paper serves as a foundational reference for our R&D program, and we hope it will also support and inform the work of other research groups in the field. In the coming months, we will publish scientific results developed in collaboration with leading partners. These publications will allow for an informed assessment of our progress toward building a fully integrated SRT system, including particle design, delivery mechanisms, modeling, and monitoring that meet these requirements.