Reports

In 2022, a team of social science, public engagement, and governance scholars in the United States and Canada proposed a comparative research initiative to examine how geographically and demographically diverse public perspectives on CDR can inform evolving governance frameworks. The project was structured around a three-phase participatory technology assessment (pTA) model developed by the Expert and Citizen Assessment of Science and Technology (ECAST) network, which integrates expert analysis with deliberative public engagement (Kaplan et al., 2021). The original project scope envisioned six deliberative forums—three in each country, selected to reflect distinct political economies—followed by analysis of how results could be integrated into project-level, as well as national and binational, decision-making. However, anticipated funding for four of the six forums and for the full governance integration phase did not materialize. The research team, therefore, convened two forums—one in the United States and one in Canada—and is presenting the findings as interim and exploratory. This interim report was intended to inform a future research agenda on participatory governance of CDR rather than to serve as direct guidance for current project or policy decisions.

Should scientists conduct research on methods of directly intervening in the global climate to avoid the worst impacts of climate change? This report from the Consortium for Science, Policy & Outcomes shares the results from two large-scale public deliberations on the democratic governance of solar radiation management research.

A new report from the Consortium for Science, Policy & Outcomes and The Breakthrough Institute develops an improved framework for climate adaptation in the 21st century. Adaptation for a High-Energy Planet highlights successful adaptations, connects them to robust socioeconomic development efforts, and explores what they mean for helping communities to thrive in an ever-changing world.

This new report from ASU’s Consortium for Science, Policy & Outcomes (CSPO) presents the results of an innovative partnership between NASA and a network led by CSPO. By directly engaging the American public in NASA’s plans for future space missions, the project breaks new ground in increasing citizens’ understanding of and engagement in the work of a federal agency.

New energy innovation report highlights central role of emerging economies

The global landscape for clean energy innovation has never been more fertile. A new report coming from a partnership of ASU’s Consortium for Science, Policy, and Outcomes and The Breakthrough Institute states that in order to supply the global public of clean, cheap energy, governments must strengthen international collaborative efforts. High-Energy Innovation is the second of three reports in the Climate Pragmatism project.

Drastically improved efforts to provide modern energy access to the poor opens up a new approach to development efforts and action on climate change, an international group of energy and environment scholars argue in a new report, Our High-Energy Planet.