According to several experts, Stardust’s potential clientele appears to be governments, particularly as various countries consider the implementation of geoengineering. As countries explore the use of these technologies, Stardust is positioned to provide the tools necessary for achieving such goals. In an emailed response regarding their business model, Yedvab stated that the company bases its approach on the belief that solar geoengineering will play a crucial role in tackling global warming in the upcoming decades.
Yedvab explained that the company’s array of technologies could be utilized following decisions by the U.S. government and the international community. Stardust is also in the process of patenting its geoengineering technology, with the anticipation that as U.S.-led research and development in geoengineering progresses, the value of their technology portfolio will increase accordingly. However, Pasztor’s report indicates that if governments opt against geoengineering, investors risk not receiving a return on their investment.
The proprietary nature of privately-held geoengineering technology raises concerns among some experts. Pasztor recommends that Stardust collaborate with its investors to explore options for sharing their intellectual property, drawing a comparison to Volvo’s decision to make its three-point seatbelt design freely available 60 years ago. Another suggested approach is for Stardust to work with governments to purchase full rights to the intellectual property, allowing them to make the technology publicly available. Pasztor emphasizes that Stardust must proceed ethically, with full transparency and independent oversight, as there is currently no social license for their intended actions.
Additionally, other experts have criticized Stardust’s conduct thus far. Shuchi Talati from The Alliance for Just Deliberation on Solar Geoengineering has expressed concern over the company’s lack of adherence to governance principles such as transparency and public engagement. Talati noted that Pasztor’s report is the only public information available about the company, highlighting that Stardust conducted no public consultations for its outdoor field tests and has not released any data or information regarding them. Talati warns that this lack of transparency could lead to mistrust and potential conspiracy theories surrounding the “secret Israeli company.”
In a paper published in January, Talati argues for Stardust to engage in open communication and establish trust early on by disclosing their activities and collaboration partners. She also believes that the company’s funders should reveal the scope of the work being financed. The environmental organization Friends of the Earth echoes Talati’s apprehensions and criticizes Stardust further, arguing that venture capital funding may conflict with scientific ideals. Benjamin Day, Senior Campaigner on Geoengineering at FOE, contends that Stardust’s engineers are predisposed to finding that stratospheric geoengineering is feasible and necessary.
According to Day, if governments decide to implement geoengineering, they may become heavily reliant on Stardust, given their current position ahead in the competition, which presently lacks viable alternatives. He notes that there is no existing private market for geoengineering technologies, suggesting that profitability for such technologies is contingent on government deployment, at which point Stardust could potentially exert significant control through technology patents.
