Beyond CO₂:
Aviation’s Full Climate Impact
Contrails. NOx. Water vapour. The climate impact of aviation
extends well beyond the carbon it burns.
CO₂ is only
part of the
problem
Aviation’s contribution to climate change cannot be measured in carbon alone. Non-CO₂ effects — contrails, NOx-induced ozone, water vapour, and aerosols — account for up to two-thirds of aviation’s total climate impact. Yet they remain largely unaddressed in regulatory frameworks and corporate sustainability strategies. The science is advancing fast. The policy pressure is building.
A Gap Regulators Are Closing
Contrails: The Largest Known Non-CO₂ Effect
Acting Under Uncertainty
From measurement
to assessment
ENV-ISA combines validated atmospheric modelling, emissions data, and EU-funded research participation to deliver rigorous, science-based non-CO₂ climate impact assessments — quantified, comparable, and policy-ready.
Emissions Inventory & Characterisation
Compute aircraft fuel burn, NOx, water vapour, soot, and particulate emissions using validated methods — including ICAO engine databank inputs and trajectory-level data. The foundation for any meaningful non-CO₂ assessment.
Contrail Formation & Persistence Modelling
Apply the Schmidt-Appleman criterion and ice-supersaturation analysis to identify contrail-forming conditions along flight routes. Assess persistent contrail frequency, duration, and radiative forcing potential using established atmospheric models.
Climate Impact Quantification
Translate non-CO₂ emissions into climate metrics — effective radiative forcing (ERF), temperature response, and CO₂-equivalent comparison — using current best-practice frameworks including GWP100, GTP, and ATR20 approaches.
Mitigation Scenario Analysis
Evaluate the climate benefit of operational changes — altitude adjustments, route optimisation, SAF integration — against fuel and CO₂ trade-offs. A structured basis for climate-cost-efficient decision-making.
NON-CO₂ effects
matters
We assess the full range of non-CO₂ aviation climate effects using internationally validated methods, tailored to your regulatory context and operational profile.
Aviation tools
for climate
For NON-CO₂
from the inside
Active EU Research Contributor
ENV-ISA is a contractor to EASA on ANCEN, the EU's dedicated non-CO₂ expert network. We don't follow the science; we participate in producing it.
UNIC & BeCoM Consortium Member
Active participant in two EU Horizon Europe research consortia advancing contrail prediction, emissions measurement, and climate-optimised trajectory planning.
CO₂ and Non-CO₂ Integration
We assess carbon management, local air quality, and non-CO₂ effects together — never in silos.
Science That Holds Under Scrutiny
Our assessments are built to withstand regulatory review, third-party verification, and stakeholder challenge.
Where we contribute
UNIC — Understanding Non-CO₂ Impacts of Aviation
European Research Consortium
- In-flight and ground-based emissions measurement at cruise altitude
- Advanced atmospheric modelling of contrail and cloud formation
- Advancing scientific understanding of real-world non-CO₂ effects
BeCoM — Beyond CO₂ Mitigation
European Research Consortium
- Improved persistent contrail prediction through enhanced ice cloud physics
- Integration of non-CO₂ effects into climate-optimised flight trajectory planning
- Policy-driven flight planning frameworks for airlines and ANSPs
ANCEN: Aviation NON-CO₂ Expert Network
ENV-ISA serves as contractor to EASA on ANCEN — coordinating expert working groups and contributing directly to the technical outputs that define how Europe understands and regulates non-CO₂ aviation climate effects. Our participation spans contrail radiative forcing, NOx-ozone interactions, uncertainty frameworks, and policy advisory to EU institutions and ICAO CAEP.
Contrail Climate Impact
Latest synthesis on contrail formation, persistence, and radiative forcing, including disproportionate impact from a minority of flights.
Common Impact Metrics
Development of shared CO₂ vs non-CO₂ comparison frameworks: GWP100, GTP, ATR20.
SAF & Fuel Composition
How fuel composition changes affect soot emissions and downstream contrail-cirrus formation.
Uncertainty Framework
Structured approach enabling defensible assessments where scientific consensus is still developing.
Ready to assess your organisation’s
full climate impact?
Talk to an ENV-ISA non-CO₂ experts. We’ll map your exposure, identify your assessment options, and outline a methodology grounded in the latest EU research.