Beware the Toll dodgers: defending the Tollgate Principles for governing solar geoengineering

Stephen Gardiner; Arthur A. Obst

doi:10.1007/s10584-025-04060-w

Beware the Toll dodgers: defending the Tollgate Principles for governing solar geoengineering

Stephen Gardiner^*, Arthur A. Obst

^*Corresponding author for this work

Philosophy

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

The Tollgate Principles (‘TGPs’) aim to represent ‘the price that must be paid’ by anyone claiming to be ethically serious about pursuing solar geoengineering (Gardiner and Fragnière, Ethic Policy Environ 221(2):143–174, 2018). The TGPs are influential but, like other governance principles, have also provoked criticism. This paper clarifies the Tollgate approach by responding to objections and dissolving some perceived tensions. It argues that, while not the final word, the TGPs are an important step in the evolution of geoengineering governance and should continue to be taken seriously at all levels. It concludes that rather than “beware the Toll Keepers” (Briggle, Ethic Policy Environ 21(2):187–189, 2018) we should instead “beware the Toll Dodgers”: those who would brush aside the TGPs and other ethics-centered approaches. As well as defending the Tollgate approach specifically, the discussion provides broader lessons for governing geoengineering and other controversial technological interventions.

Original language	English
Journal	Climatic Change
Volume	179
Issue number	17
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/s10584-025-04060-w
Publication status	Published - 19 Jan 2026

Keywords

Geoengineering ethics
Solar radiation management
Climate intervention
Ethics of technology
Global governance
Climate policy

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Cite this

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title = "Beware the Toll dodgers: defending the Tollgate Principles for governing solar geoengineering",

abstract = "The Tollgate Principles ({\textquoteleft}TGPs{\textquoteright}) aim to represent {\textquoteleft}the price that must be paid{\textquoteright} by anyone claiming to be ethically serious about pursuing solar geoengineering (Gardiner and Fragni{\`e}re, Ethic Policy Environ 221(2):143–174, 2018). The TGPs are influential but, like other governance principles, have also provoked criticism. This paper clarifies the Tollgate approach by responding to objections and dissolving some perceived tensions. It argues that, while not the final word, the TGPs are an important step in the evolution of geoengineering governance and should continue to be taken seriously at all levels. It concludes that rather than “beware the Toll Keepers” (Briggle, Ethic Policy Environ 21(2):187–189, 2018) we should instead “beware the Toll Dodgers”: those who would brush aside the TGPs and other ethics-centered approaches. As well as defending the Tollgate approach specifically, the discussion provides broader lessons for governing geoengineering and other controversial technological interventions.",

keywords = "Geoengineering ethics, Solar radiation management, Climate intervention, Ethics of technology, Global governance, Climate policy",

author = "Stephen Gardiner and Obst, \{Arthur A.\}",

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AU - Obst, Arthur A.

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N2 - The Tollgate Principles (‘TGPs’) aim to represent ‘the price that must be paid’ by anyone claiming to be ethically serious about pursuing solar geoengineering (Gardiner and Fragnière, Ethic Policy Environ 221(2):143–174, 2018). The TGPs are influential but, like other governance principles, have also provoked criticism. This paper clarifies the Tollgate approach by responding to objections and dissolving some perceived tensions. It argues that, while not the final word, the TGPs are an important step in the evolution of geoengineering governance and should continue to be taken seriously at all levels. It concludes that rather than “beware the Toll Keepers” (Briggle, Ethic Policy Environ 21(2):187–189, 2018) we should instead “beware the Toll Dodgers”: those who would brush aside the TGPs and other ethics-centered approaches. As well as defending the Tollgate approach specifically, the discussion provides broader lessons for governing geoengineering and other controversial technological interventions.

AB - The Tollgate Principles (‘TGPs’) aim to represent ‘the price that must be paid’ by anyone claiming to be ethically serious about pursuing solar geoengineering (Gardiner and Fragnière, Ethic Policy Environ 221(2):143–174, 2018). The TGPs are influential but, like other governance principles, have also provoked criticism. This paper clarifies the Tollgate approach by responding to objections and dissolving some perceived tensions. It argues that, while not the final word, the TGPs are an important step in the evolution of geoengineering governance and should continue to be taken seriously at all levels. It concludes that rather than “beware the Toll Keepers” (Briggle, Ethic Policy Environ 21(2):187–189, 2018) we should instead “beware the Toll Dodgers”: those who would brush aside the TGPs and other ethics-centered approaches. As well as defending the Tollgate approach specifically, the discussion provides broader lessons for governing geoengineering and other controversial technological interventions.

KW - Geoengineering ethics

KW - Solar radiation management

KW - Climate intervention

KW - Ethics of technology

KW - Global governance

KW - Climate policy

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Beware the Toll dodgers: defending the Tollgate Principles for governing solar geoengineering

Abstract

Keywords

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