Cheap Fix Floated For Jet Contrail’s Harm On Climate

The climate-damaging vapors left behind by jet planes could be addressed with a low-cost solution, according to a new study, Matt McGrath reported for BBC News.

Although scientists have known the cause of contrails for decades, the climate impact of these human-made clouds has only recently been understood.

Aviation experts suggest that contrails, which nearly double the warming effect of aviation’s fossil fuel use, could be reduced or eliminated for just a few pounds per flight. This issue was discussed for the first time at the UN climate conference, COP29, in Baku.

Jet condensation trails, or contrails, are formed in the sky much like misty breath on a cold day.

When planes pass through cold, humid air, vapor from their engines condenses on unburned fuel fragments, forming contrails. Although scientists have known the cause of contrails for decades, the climate impact of these human-made clouds has only recently been understood.

"They create an artificial layer of clouds, trapping heat from Earth that would otherwise escape to outer space," said Carlos Lopez de la Osa from Transport & Environment, the campaign group behind a new study on potential contrail solutions.