The European Commission requested from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) an updated analysis on the non-CO2 effects of aviation on climate change, to fulfil the requirement of the EU Emissions Trading System Directive (Art. 30.4).
The study builds on the latest scientific knowledge and presents a fresh analysis of the main climate impacts associated with air traffic, beyond carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. CO2 emissions from aviation are addressed under the EU Emission Trading System since 2012 but non-CO2 impacts have so far not been specifically addressed by EU policies. However, the report acknowledges that there are already a number of measures in place that can also contribute to reducing the climate impacts of aviation non-CO2 emissions.
The work was conducted by EASA through a project team comprising the most renowned experts in this field from the EU, Norway and UK. The Study reflects the views of its scientific authors and does not constitute an official opinion of the Commission. It is, however, accompanied by a short Staff Working Document from the Commission services.
The significance of non-CO2 climate impacts from aviation activities, previously estimated to be at least as important in total as those of CO2 alone is fully confirmed by the report.
