Methodology for Aircraft Contrail Management

Stage: Concept Note
Methodology Development ID #: CN0144

The proposed methodology involves employing advanced atmospheric modeling and analysis to forecast and reduce climate forcing caused by ice crystal hydrometeors in the clouds that aircraft make (called condensation trails or contrails). Project activities involve generating a baseline of contrail-generated surface warming from standard flight plans for comparison with contrail avoidance optimized flight plans generated by SATAVIA and flown by aircraft operators. The reduced climate forcing is converted into CO2-equivalent using the approach described by Teoh et al. (2020). The proposed methodology would require updates to the VCS Program rules.

The concept note was submitted by SATAVIA (opens on external site) and is currently at Step 2: Methodology Concept Note Development of the Methodology Development and Review Process, 4.2 (PDF).

Stakeholders interested in collaborating during methodology development or developing projects that this methodology might enable are encouraged to contact methodologies@verra.org. Please include the Methodology Development ID# CN0144 in the subject line.