The Chief Technology Officers of major aerospace companies like Boeing, Airbus, and Rolls-Royce have come together to call for increased government research programs focused on understanding and reducing non-CO2 emissions in aviation. At the 2024 Farnborough International Airshow, these technology leaders released a joint statement emphasizing the need to accelerate efforts in this area.
Non-CO2 emissions from aviation, such as contrails, NOx, sulphur, aerosols, and soot, have a significant impact on the climate. Research is essential to better understand these emissions and develop strategies to mitigate their effects. The industry is actively collaborating with research institutions and universities to improve scientific understanding in order to inform technology choices, operational changes, and policy decisions.
One key focus is on persistent contrails, which have a warming impact on the climate. The industry acknowledges that there is still limited understanding of the physical and chemical properties that influence contrail formation and evolution. Similarly, NOx emissions and their secondary reactions depend on various factors, making research and data collection crucial for accurately quantifying their impacts.
The technology chiefs stress the importance of industry, academic, and government stakeholders working together to advance research, flight testing, and data transparency in order to achieve progress towards a more sustainable aviation industry. By focusing on these priorities and collaborating effectively, the aerospace industry aims to make meaningful strides in reducing its environmental footprint.
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