Condensation trails — or contrails — created by aircraft flying through cold and humid air can significantly warm the climate. Most contrails dissolve within a few minutes, but in certain conditions, they can persist in the atmosphere, spread out, and become clouds that trap outgoing heat. This represents an additional climate impact alongside aviation’s direct carbon emissions.
In recent years, technologies and methods have been developed to predict and avoid some of the warming effects created by contrails. Prediction models can inform operators of the optimal flight path to avoid contrails while limiting potential additional carbon emissions. These efforts can be validated by satellite imaging, ground-based monitoring, and pilot reporting to improve model accuracy.
There are additional challenges that can only be overcome through continued collaboration by stakeholders from across the aviation industry. RMI’s Contrail Impact Task Force has been working to share and expand on the latest science on the climate impact of contrails. Their latest comprehensive report explores potential contrail solutions and identifies potential barriers to implementing those solutions. Check out the key takeaways from the report in our latest blog: https://bit.ly/4fvDRom
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