Understanding the Non-CO₂ Impacts of DeCarbonised Aviation

UNIC combines innovative in-flight and ground-based emissions measurement methods, advanced lab-scale experiments, and cutting-edge modelling.

Aviation contributes approximately 3-4% of the total anthropogenic radiative forcing on the atmosphere. Up to two-thirds of that impact are estimated to originate from emissions other than that of carbon dioxide, also known as non-CO₂ emissions, such as nitrous oxides (NOx), water vapor (H₂O), and particulate matter (PM).

Some non-CO₂ emissions play a key role in the formation of both persistent condensation trails (contrails) and contrail-induced cirrus clouds, which are currently thought to contribute the largest share of aviation’s non-CO₂ effect on climate.

Despite this, the exact mechanisms through which non-CO₂ emissions have this impact still involves significant uncertainties. To reduce these and advance towards a more complete understanding of aviation climate impacts, UNIC will bring together innovative in-flight and ground-based emissions measurement methods, advanced lab-scale experiments, and cutting-edge modelling to advance the scientific understanding of real-world emissions from aircraft at cruise altitude and the role these play in contrail and contrail-cloud formation, as well as aerosol-cloud interactions.