Research focus

The work is structured in six axes of research. The first three are dedicated to the understanding and characterisation of the most uncertain forcing mechanisms – contrails, atmospheric chemistry and the impact of aerosols on clouds. A fourth axis is dedicated to observation and the use of observations to validate, evaluate and improve models. A fifth axis aims at quantifying the global climate impact of aviation for current air traffic and fleets, as well as for different scenarios of evolution of this traffic. The last axis investigates strategies to minimise this global impact.

The scientific content of the work is however evolving and adapts to the progress made in order to concentrate on the themes requiring the most important research efforts.

Structure of the research programme. Blue-coloured axes are led by ONERA. Green-coloured axes are led by IPSL