The global push for climate neutrality and sustainability has put the spotlight on the aviation industry's impact on non-CO2 emissions, with contrails and associated cirrus clouds coming under scrutiny.
To explore this key environmental issue, CANSO & EUROCONTROL were pleased to host the Sustainable Skies Conference: Contrails in Focus, which took place at EUROCONTROL's Brussels headquarters on 7-8 November 2023.
The overall goal of the event was to bring together scientists, researchers, the aviation industry, policy makers and other stakeholders to improve the understanding of the formation and characteristics of contrails and contrail-induced cirrus clouds, together with their impact on climate – and to explore potential mitigation measures to minimise their occurrence.
Over the course of the two days, world-leading experts:
The first day focussed on presenting the latest scientific insights and ongoing research on contrails, while the second day featured panel debates and more strategic discussions.
Following the Conference, EUROCONTROL and CANSO, together with the conference speakers, created a document outlining the latest advancements in contrail science and mitigation.
Time | Session | Speakers | |
---|---|---|---|
08:30 - 10:00 | Registration & welcome coffee | ||
10:00 - 10:15 | Welcome & opening remarks |
|
|
10:15 - 10:55 | What are contrails? Speakers will explain what contrails and contrail-induced cirrus clouds are, how and under which meteorological conditions they form, their physical properties and how they impact climate change. Followed by a Q&A session. |
|
|
10:55 - 11:35 | Contrails versus CO2 This session will explore the critical aspects of contrail avoidance, highlighting the importance of making informed trade-offs between CO2 emissions and the impact of contrails on the climate. Followed by a Q&A session. |
|
|
11:35 - 12:35 | Detection and monitoring of contrails (Part 1) In this session our speakers will address the technical challenges and state-of-the-art methods for detecting and monitoring contrails, focusing on remote-sensing techniques (satellite, ground observation); in situ measurements (onboard, meteorological); and computer vision and deep learning techniques. Followed by a Q&A session. |
|
|
12:35 - 13:35 | Lunch break and tour of stands in the lobby | ||
13:35 - 14:35 | Detection and monitoring of contrails (Part 2) Followed by a Q&A session. |
|
|
14:35 - 15:30 |
Prediction of contrails formation and climate impact (Part 1) |
|
|
15:30 - 16:10 | Coffee break and tour of stands | ||
16:10 - 16:50 | Prediction of contrails formation and climate impact (Part 2) Followed by a Q&A session for Part 1 & 2 speakers. |
|
|
16:50 - 18:20 | Contrails Research Roadmap This session will provide an overview of ongoing contrail research projects and how they contribute to addressing unanswered questions. |
|
|
18:20 - 18:30 | Future research priorities and roadmap for deployment (ATM Master Plan) In this session our speaker will outline future research priorities and the roadmap for the deployment of initiatives outlined in the European ATM Master Plan. |
|
|
18:30 - 18:35 | Day 1 Wrap-up | ||
18:35 - 21:00 | Reception and tour of stands |
Time | Session | Speakers | |
---|---|---|---|
08:00 - 09:00 | Welcome coffee and registration | ||
09:00 - 09:10 | Welcome and opening remarks |
|
|
09:10 - 09:30 | Non-CO2 monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) In this session, our speaker will present the plan for establishing a Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) scheme of aviation’s non-CO2 effects, in support of the preparation of implementing legislation defined in the EU ETS Directive, as well as provide support for operating the implementing rules as defined by the EU ETS Directive. This session will set the scene for the following panel discussion on MRV. |
|
|
09:30 - 10:15 | Panel discussion on non-CO2 MRV Followed by a Q&A session. |
|
|
10:15 - 11:00 | Coffee break and tour of stands | ||
11:00 - 12:15 | Operational mitigating strategies (Part 1) In this session, experts across the aviation industry will explore lessons learned from various trials and look at potential operational mitigation strategies to minimise contrail formation by predicting and avoiding ice supersaturated regions. They will discuss how these mitigation strategies may impact flight operations and air traffic management if implemented at scale. Followed by a Q&A session. |
|
|
12:15 - 13:15 | Lunch break and tour of exhibits | ||
13:15 - 14:35 | Operational mitigating strategies (Part 2) Followed by a Q&A session. |
|
|
14:35 - 15:50 | Other mitigation strategies In this session experts from universities and industry will discuss the potential of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) in reducing contrail formation. They will look at all types of emissions (CO2 and non-CO2) and the technological challenges posed by the need to reduce them all, in addition to considering the impact of other constraints to air traffic performance. Followed by a Q&A session. |
|
|
15:50 - 16:10 | Coffee break and tour of exhibits | ||
16:10 - 16:55 | Mitigation strategies panel discussion Followed by a Q&A session. |
|
|
16:55 - 17:20 | European non-CO2 research programme This session will feature EASA's perspective on the challenge of non-CO2 mitigation measures and future actions to stimulate research and the development of mitigation strategies. |
|
|
17:20 - 17:35 | Conference wrap-up and way forward |
Registrations have closed. The event will be live streamed both days - please check the top of the page to tune in.
There will be photography and/or filming at this event and your image may be captured by us and used for communications purposes in print or on our website if you consent to it during registration. You can revoke your consent at any time.