International Center for Future Generations

Overview

The Giving Green Fund plans to award a grant to The International Center for Future Generations (ICFG) to examine future possibilities and global governance needs associated with hypothetical solar radiation management (SRM) deployment and resulting geopolitical, socio-economic, and environmental implications. ICFG is a Brussels-based think tank that supports decision-makers in governing societal impacts of rapid technological change, specifically focusing on advanced AI, neurotechnology, climate interventions, biotechnology, and quantum computing. 

This grant falls within our philanthropic strategy of solar radiation management (SRM). We recognize the significant uncertainties surrounding SRM and believe its deployment should be considered carefully and inclusively. The complexity and interconnectedness of Earth’s natural systems make it difficult to predict how SRM effects would manifest and to what extent we could mitigate them. Please see Giving Green’s deep dive report on SRM for more information about SRM, including risks and potential co-benefits, recommended sub-strategies, theory of change, funding need, and key uncertainties.

Last updated: October 2024

What is The International Center for Future Generations (ICFG)?

The International Center for Future Generations (ICFG), launched in 2022, aims to ensure that emerging technologies are overseen by the public and benefit both present and future generations. The Climate Intervention team at ICFG explores the accountable and inclusive governance models behind technologies that could modify the global ecosystem and climate patterns. ICFG facilitates access to research, global expert networks, and potential policy options, primarily focusing on collaboration with EU policymakers. Its flagship projects center around advocating for an international public registry of research and funding, encouraging monitoring for tests in the stratosphere, cooperating in guiding responsible research, and developing scenarios informed by geopolitical and foresight analysis (scenario analysis and risk assessments of emerging technologies).

ICFG does not advocate for or against solar geoengineering deployment but aims to advance the understanding of SRM governance frameworks and policy options to enable informed decision-making about SRM research, assessments, and deployment. 

What are we funding at ICFG, and how could it help advance inclusive and informed decision-making around the potential deployment of SRM?

We are funding ICFG to advance its work on SRM governance structures. ICFG, in collaboration with the Australian National University (ANU) and a major international organization, will examine future possibilities and global governance needs associated with hypothetical SRM deployment and resulting geopolitical, socio-economic, and environmental implications. Drawing on interviews, scenario development, and modeling, SRM case studies will be developed and presented to policymakers to understand the range of future possibilities associated with SRM deployment. The project will explore multilateral governance frameworks that can anticipate and minimize risks, including promoting responsible SRM research, testing, and transparency monitoring. ICFG’s role in the consortium will include coordinating and providing expertise to ensure that the insights are scientifically grounded and policy-relevant. ICFG will engage closely with the European Union and the global research community to communicate findings to key decision-makers.

We believe that exploring governance frameworks around SRM is necessary for translating existing conceptual knowledge into practical models and tangible implications. This work can enable robust and informed discussions between policymakers, scientists, and the broader public to guide SRM policy development. We view inclusive and participatory SRM governance frameworks as central to ensuring informed decisions around the future of SRM research and hypothetical deployment. 

Why do we think ICFG will use this funding well?

As a nascent organization, we believe ICFG can benefit from catalytic funding. Since its inception, ICFG has played a unique role in the SRM ecosystem by collaborating with policymakers to advance SRM discussions at the EU level. The team has effectively positioned itself as a key organization in the EU space, as demonstrated by the high-level engagements with key EU, US, and UN institutions. Given the strong track record of the ICFG Climate Interventions team leadership, we are excited about the policy conversations that ICFG will drive forward in the SRM space.

Giving Green believes that additional climate donations are likely to be most impactful when directed to our top nonprofits. For a number of reasons, we may choose to recommend grants to other organizations for work that we believe is at least as impactful as grants to our top recommendations. We are highlighting this grant to offer transparency to donors to the Giving Green Fund as well as to provide a resource for donors who are particularly interested in this impact strategy. This is a nonpartisan analysis (study or research) and is provided for educational purposes.