Kiera Jefferson
Airplanes burn fossil fuels, releasing CO2 emissions and other pollutants such as nitrogen oxides, water vapour, and soot. Aviation is one of the fastest-growing sources of greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for around 2.4-2.5% of global CO2 emissions in 2018 and 2019. However, if only a small percentage of the global population takes regular flights, the industry's emissions per capita are disproportionately large. With aviation emissions projected to double or triple by 2050, there is a pressing need to reduce the climate impact of air travel. While technological advancements have improved fuel efficiency, the gains are offset by the rapid increase in passenger numbers. To address this challenge, individuals can opt for more sustainable travel options or reduce corporate travel, while the aviation industry must adopt policies and measures to curb emissions and mitigate pollution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Gases emitted | Carbon dioxide, water vapour, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, ozone, methane, sulfur oxides, black carbon, nitrous oxides |
| Atmospheric particulates emitted | Incompletely burned hydrocarbons, soot, water contrails |
| Climate impact | 2.5% of global CO2 emissions in 2019; 2.4% in 2018; 1.5% of European emissions in 2019 |
| Other impacts | Water pollution, noise pollution, sleep disruption, cardiovascular risk, increased lead exposure |
| Solutions | Clean fuels, hydrotreating fossil jet fuels, improved fuel economy, alternative jet fuels, renewable energy, carbon credits, nature-based climate solutions |
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What You'll Learn
Airplanes burn fossil fuels, releasing CO2 emissions
The burning of jet fuel releases not only CO2 but also other pollutants, including nitrogen oxides (NOx), water vapour, carbon monoxide, and atmospheric particulates such as incompletely burned hydrocarbons, sulfur oxides, and black carbon. These non-CO2 emissions have a strong warming effect, contributing twice as much to global warming as aircraft CO2 emissions. The formation of persistent contrails, or condensation trails, is a result of soot and other emissions interacting with cold, high-humidity atmospheric areas. Contrails can spread and form cirrus clouds, which trap infrared rays and produce a warming effect up to three times that of CO2.
Aircraft piston engines burning Avgas release toxic lead into the atmosphere, which has adverse effects on human health, particularly for infants and young children. Aviation activities also emit ozone and ultrafine particles, posing additional health hazards. Airports contribute to water pollution due to the handling of jet fuel, lubricants, and de-icing chemicals, which can contaminate nearby water bodies if not properly contained.
To reduce emissions, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has established CO2 emission standards for new aircraft, with efficiency requirements coming into effect in 2028. The use of clean fuels, such as alternative jet fuels with lower emissions, can help reduce pollutants. Flying less, improving fuel economy, and optimising air traffic control and flight routes are other ways to mitigate emissions and their climate impact.
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Aviation's environmental footprint includes water pollution
Aviation's environmental footprint is significant, with the sector's emissions growing faster than any other mode of transport. The industry's carbon emissions are driving global climate change, and if left unaddressed, aviation emissions could more than double by 2050.
A major contributor to aviation's environmental impact is the burning of fossil fuels, which releases CO2 and other harmful substances. Aircraft engines produce gases, noise, and particulates from fossil fuel combustion, which affect both the environment and local air quality. The main greenhouse gas emission is CO2, but other emissions include nitrogen oxides (NOx), water vapour, carbon monoxide, and atmospheric particulates such as incompletely burned hydrocarbons, sulfur oxides, and black carbon. These emissions interact with each other and the atmosphere, contributing to climate change.
One aspect of aviation's environmental footprint that is often overlooked is water pollution. Airports and aircraft operations can contaminate water bodies through the use and handling of various substances. Jet fuel, lubricants, and other chemicals can spill or leak, polluting nearby water sources if not properly contained. This not only affects marine ecosystems but also threatens drinking water supplies, highlighting the need for stringent environmental guidelines and treatment solutions.
De-icing and anti-icing agents used on aircraft and pavement surfaces are another source of water pollution. These chemicals often contain ethylene glycol or propylene glycol, which can contaminate nearby streams, rivers, or coastal waters through surface runoff. During degradation in surface waters, these chemicals consume oxygen needed by aquatic life, causing ecological imbalances.
To reduce aviation's environmental footprint, various measures have been proposed, including improving fuel economy, optimizing air traffic control and flight routes, adopting alternative jet fuels, and improving aircraft efficiency. Additionally, economic incentives, regulations, and international cooperation are crucial to curbing emissions and protecting vulnerable ecosystems and communities from the impacts of climate change.
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Aircraft noise pollution impacts health
Aircraft noise pollution has been associated with several negative health effects, from sleep disorders to cardiovascular disorders. Research has shown that aircraft noise can cause community annoyance, sleep disruption, and adverse effects on the academic performance of children.
Sleep disturbance is one of the most well-studied impacts of aircraft noise. Studies have found that aircraft noise is associated with more self-reported sleep disturbance than road traffic or railway noise. Aircraft noise can cause awakenings, changes to sleep structure, increased heart rate, and body movements. This can lead to next-day fatigue and decreased productivity.
Aircraft noise has also been linked to cardiovascular risks. A German study found that aircraft noise significantly increased the risk of coronary heart disease and heart attacks, with higher risks for women than men. Additionally, research has suggested that cardiovascular effects are more strongly linked to nighttime noise exposure.
The impact of aircraft noise on children's learning has also been studied. The RANCH study, which examined children aged 9-10 years old living near Heathrow, Schiphol, and Barajas airports, found a link between aircraft noise and poorer reading comprehension and recognition memory. Another study suggested that the association between aviation noise and cognitive performance in children is stronger in younger children than in older ones.
Aircraft noise can also cause hearing impairment, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, annoyance, and decreased school performance in those within the aircraft, including crew and passengers. Overall, aircraft noise pollution has been shown to have significant impacts on the health and well-being of individuals, especially those living in proximity to airports.
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Aviation's climate impact is complex, varying with altitude
Aviation's impact on the climate is complex and varies with altitude. Aircraft emit gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2), water vapour, nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide, and atmospheric particulates such as incompletely burned hydrocarbons, sulfur oxides, and black carbon. These emissions interact with each other and the atmosphere, contributing to global warming and climate change.
The impact of aviation on the climate is not limited to the burning of fossil fuels and the release of CO2 emissions. Aircraft engines emit nitrogen oxides (NOx) and soot, which trigger cloud and vapour trail formation at high altitudes. These non-CO2 effects have twice the impact on global warming as aircraft CO2 emissions and were responsible for two-thirds of aviation's climate impact in 2018.
The formation of persistent contrails, or condensation trails, is a significant factor in aviation's climate impact. Contrails are formed when aircraft emit soot and other emissions in cold, high humidity atmospheric areas known as Ice Super Saturated Regions (ISSRs). The complex microphysical processes involved in contrail formation, including the interaction with background cloudiness, make it challenging to fully understand and mitigate their effects.
Additionally, aviation's impact on the climate varies with altitude. Approximately 90% of aircraft emissions occur above 3,000 feet, with the remaining 10% emitted during taxi, takeoff, initial climb, and landing. Aircraft ground and low-altitude operations produce emissions that impact local air quality, including nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, hydrocarbons, and soot particulates.
To address aviation's climate impact, various measures have been proposed. These include the use of clean fuels, such as sustainable biofuels, to reduce pollutant emissions, and optimizing flight routes to minimize the non-CO2 effects on the climate. However, as of 2025, no measures are in place at the regional or global level to reduce aviation's non-CO2 climate impacts. While the aviation industry has made efforts to improve fuel efficiency and implement new technologies, emissions continue to rise due to the increasing volume of air travel.
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Flying less is the only way to reduce emissions
Aviation is one of the fastest-growing sources of greenhouse gas emissions, which is driving global climate change. Air travel is currently the most carbon-intensive activity an individual can make. For example, a single passenger taking a return flight from New York to London emits more emissions than an average person in Paraguay over the course of a year.
The aviation industry has been growing faster than any other mode of transport. Between 1990 and 2019, aviation emissions more than doubled, increasing from 1.5% of all European emissions in 1990 to 4.7% in 2019. If left unaddressed, these emissions could more than double again by 2050.
The International Energy Agency projects that aviation's share of global CO2 emissions may grow from 2.5% in 2019 to 3.5% by 2030. The Center for Biological Diversity estimated that aircraft could generate 43 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide emissions through 2050, consuming almost 5% of the remaining global carbon budget.
While there are some measures that can be taken to reduce emissions from the aviation sector, such as using clean fuels, performing hydrotreating on fossil jet fuels, and rerouting flights to avoid contrail formation, the most effective way to reduce emissions in the critical decade before 2030 is to fly less.
Flying less could involve choosing more sustainable modes of transport, such as trains or coaches, or changing your destination to one that can be reached by less climate-intensive means. It could also mean teleconferencing instead of attending business meetings in person, or taking fewer but longer holidays. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many employees adjusted easily to working from home and flying less, demonstrating that the idea that flying is necessary for work is no longer valid. Reducing corporate travel is an effective way to cut aviation emissions, with the potential to reduce CO2 emissions in Europe by up to 32.6 MtCO2 by 2030, the equivalent of taking 16 million polluting cars off the road.
While it may be challenging to reduce the number of flights we take, especially for those who travel frequently for business or pleasure, it is the most impactful way to reduce our individual aviation carbon footprint.
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Frequently asked questions
Airplane pollution has a significant impact on the environment and human health. Aircraft emit gases such as carbon dioxide, water vapour, nitrogen oxides, and carbon monoxide, which contribute to global warming and climate change. Additionally, airports can generate water pollution due to their handling of jet fuel, lubricants, and de-icing chemicals, which can contaminate nearby water bodies if not properly contained.
Aviation is one of the fastest-growing sources of greenhouse gas emissions, and if it were a country, it would be among the top 10 carbon-polluting nations. In 2018, global aviation produced about 2.4% of total CO2 emissions, and it is projected to grow further. While this may seem like a small percentage, it is important to consider that only a small proportion of the global population flies regularly.
There are several approaches to reducing airplane pollution. Firstly, individuals can choose to fly less by opting for more sustainable modes of transport, such as trains, or reducing corporate travel. Secondly, the aviation industry can adopt cleaner fuels and improve fuel efficiency to reduce emissions. Additionally, policies and regulations can be implemented to encourage the use of alternative jet fuels with lower emissions and to set emission standards for aircraft.
