Non CO2 Effects Workshop
Non CO2 emissions (principally nitrogen oxide or NOx) and contrails (including
contrail-induced cirrus) generated from aircraft are believed to be
significant
contributors to aviation’s overall climate impact. However their exact
contribution
to climate change is poorly understood and scientific quantification
remains fair
at best.
Limitations of current scientific understanding of non-CO2 impacts may
stall, misdirect or even prevent technical or policy approaches to
reduce aviation
impacts from being developed. The aviation industry needs greater clarity
on
how the scientific debate will unfold and when priorities will emerge
to underpin
strategy. Whilst clear answers may be some years away, a ‘meeting of
minds’ is needed between the two communities to, for example, facilitate fleet
planning or develop technology, operational practices and policy.
This is a closed science workshop which will review and disseminate findings and knowledge on non-CO2 effects to the science community. A knowledge development roadmap on non-CO2 aviation impacts is planned with a forward look on research programmes, expected deliverables, timelines and uncertainty.
Key questions
The main workshop will address:
- What is the current knowledge of non-CO2 effects impact?
- What is the current state of knowledge from climate metrics?
- Who is involved and when does the work mature?
- What linkages and alliances are needed?
- What information and outputs are needed from the scientific community, by when and in what format?