At the 2024 ICAO Symposium, experts and policy makers underscored the urgent need for data and collaboration to address the complex climate impacts of non-CO₂ aviation emissions, highlighting the intricate balance between mitigating CO₂ and non-CO₂ effects like contrails and NOx.
New combustion technologies vastly outperform even the cleanest fuels in reducing aviation soot emissions, but a dual approach of cleaner engines and sustainable fuels is essential to make meaningful cuts in airport pollution and non-CO₂ climate impacts.
Revisiting over 50 years of well-established research, this article outlines the challenges, infrastructure needs, and environmental implications of transitioning to liquid hydrogen-powered aircraft.