Aircraft Design for Reduced Climate Impact

Book excerpt: Aircraft affect global climate through emissions of greenhouse gases and their precursors and by altering cirrus cloudiness. Changes in operations and design of future aircraft may be necessary to meet goals for limiting climate change. One method for reducing climate impacts involves designing aircraft to fly at altitudes where the impacts of NOx emissions are less severe and persistent contrail formation is less likely. By considering these altitude effects and additionally applying climate mitigation technologies, impacts can be reduced by 45-70% with simultaneous savings in total operating costs. Uncertainty is assessed, demonstrating that relative climate impact savings can be expected despite large scientific uncertainties. Strategies for improving climate performance of existing aircraft are also explored, revealing potential climate impact savings of 20-40%, traded for a 2% increase in total operating costs and reduced maximum range.