The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has published a recent report calling for urgent research into the climate effects of non-CO2 emissions from aircraft, particularly focusing on the impact of cirrus cloud formation from persistent contrails. These clouds are known to trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere, potentially exacerbating global warming. However, the report states that the exact impact and extent of their effect remain uncertain, requiring further scientific research.
According to the IATA's report, immediate actions (2024-2030) should focus on reducing CO2 emissions, increasing airline participation in sensor programs, continuing scientific research, and improving humidity and climate models. Mid-term actions (2030-2040) include establishing data transmission standards, continuously validating models, and encouraging aircraft manufacturers to include meteorological observation provisions. Long-term actions (2040-2050) involve increasing the global fleet providing data and fully understanding the non-CO2 effects of alternative fuels.
In alignment with IATA's call for action, the E-CONTRAIL project is already addressing the uncertainties related to non-CO2 aircraft emissions and uncovering the mechanisms behind contrail formation and aviation-induced cloudiness, thereby contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of their environmental impact. By focusing on these aspects, the E-CONTRAIL project aspires to inform the development of mitigation measures based on solid scientific evidence.
The importance of the IATA report also lies in the organization's advocacy for more research and data for scientists to provide us with moisture data that can further improve the numerical tools that model the formation and climate impact of contrails. Hopefully, this information can lead to effective strategies to mitigate the adverse climatic effects of aviation.
Read the full report:
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