Balancing Climate Innovation and Land Economy: A Legal and Governance Perspective - Do We Care What the Public Thinks?

As the Arctic faces growing environmental challenges, climate intervention strategies like Marine Cloud Brightening and Stratospheric Aerosol Injection are emerging as potential solutions. However, these approaches raise complex legal, governance, and public perception questions. Who holds the power to make such high-stakes decisions for the Arctic? Do public perceptions influence the legitimacy of these interventions, or should governance be left to legal frameworks alone?

This paper explores these concerns through the lens of land economy, examining how legal and governance frameworks can support or hinder climate interventions in the Arctic. Drawing on case studies from environmental law, public law, and the economics of land use, it examines the ethical, legal, and economic considerations in implementing Arctic climate repair strategies.

Central to this discussion is the role of public opinion—can we afford to disregard public perceptions in decision-making processes, or should they be a core component of governance? The paper considers the balance between transparent, inclusive decision-making and the urgency of implementing innovative climate solutions.

Ultimately, it proposes pathways for integrating legal structures, economic viability, and public involvement in Arctic climate governance, highlighting the need for frameworks that ensure fairness, accountability, and legitimacy in addressing this global challenge.