The impacts of non-CO2 aircraft emissions at high altitudes came to prominence back in 1999 following publication of a special report by the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) on aviation. This estimated the total historic impact of aviation on the climate to have been two to four times higher than for CO2 emissions alone.
Most of the impact of these non-CO2 emissions comes from the “cruise phase” of a flight when the plane is at high altitudes. Importantly, though, this impact depends largely on atmospheric conditions, such as temperature and the background concentrations of water vapour and nitrogen oxides.
Contrails, for example, form when water vapour condenses on aerosol emissions. They are thought to have a significant warming effect. But typically, they only last a few seconds in specific conditions of coldness and humidity.
At Jet Teller, we take into account all non-CO2 emissions, so that our actions now can have a measurable impact on the future.
