This article explores the importance of public engagement in the governance of climate intervention technologies, such as carbon dioxide removal (CDR) and solar radiation modification (SRM). Based on 44 focus groups conducted in 22 countries, the study reveals that public engagement practices must be tailored to local political cultures and socio-technical environments while addressing global dimensions and interconnectedness. The authors identify seven key conditions for meaningful public engagement: recognizing diverse forms and intensities of engagement, considering national contexts, tailoring to technological idiosyncrasies, adopting power-sensitive practices, accounting for prior experiences, establishing trust and procedural legitimacy, and engaging with tensions and value disagreements. The results show that publics prefer engagement practices ranging from passive information recipients to active decision-makers, with preferences varying by technology type and socio-political context. Participants emphasize the importance of stimulating awareness, learning by doing, and fostering agency, as well as giving a voice to those affected and avoiding conflicts. However, they also express concerns about the complexity and technical nature of some approaches, leading to caution in direct public involvement. The study highlights the need for a systemic approach to public engagement that attends to diverse conceptions of publics and their roles in governance.This article explores the importance of public engagement in the governance of climate intervention technologies, such as carbon dioxide removal (CDR) and solar radiation modification (SRM). Based on 44 focus groups conducted in 22 countries, the study reveals that public engagement practices must be tailored to local political cultures and socio-technical environments while addressing global dimensions and interconnectedness. The authors identify seven key conditions for meaningful public engagement: recognizing diverse forms and intensities of engagement, considering national contexts, tailoring to technological idiosyncrasies, adopting power-sensitive practices, accounting for prior experiences, establishing trust and procedural legitimacy, and engaging with tensions and value disagreements. The results show that publics prefer engagement practices ranging from passive information recipients to active decision-makers, with preferences varying by technology type and socio-political context. Participants emphasize the importance of stimulating awareness, learning by doing, and fostering agency, as well as giving a voice to those affected and avoiding conflicts. However, they also express concerns about the complexity and technical nature of some approaches, leading to caution in direct public involvement. The study highlights the need for a systemic approach to public engagement that attends to diverse conceptions of publics and their roles in governance.