Library
home (Home) TU Delft Repository login Login

Pathways for including non-carbon dioxide aviation climate effects in the European Emission Trading System

Review (2026)
Author(s)

Volker Grewe (TU Delft - Operations & Environment)

Malte Niklaß (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR))

Katrin Dahlmann (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR))

Roland Eichinger (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR))

Sigrun Matthes (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR))

Alexander Lau (TU Delft - QN/Akhmerov Group, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR))

Janina Scheelhaase (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR))

Florian Linke (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR))

Martin Plohr (Institute of Propulsion Technology)

Research Group
Operations & Environment
DOI related publication
https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-026-03265-w Final published version
More Info
expand_more
Publication Year
2026
Language
English
Research Group
Operations & Environment
Journal title
Communications Earth and Environment
Issue number
1
Volume number
7
Article number
243
Downloads counter
18
Reuse Rights

Other than for strictly personal use, it is not permitted to download, forward or distribute the text or part of it, without the consent of the author(s) and/or copyright holder(s), unless the work is under an open content license such as Creative Commons.

Abstract

Aviation emissions are responsible for climate impacts through both carbon dioxide emissions and other emissions, in particular, of nitrogen oxides, water vapour, particulates, and contrail formation. In December 2022, the European Commission, Parliament and Council agreed to revise the European Union Emission Trading System for aviation. As such, from January 1, 2025, aircraft operators must monitor non-carbon dioxide climate effects, but suitable metrics for climate impact, handling of uncertainties and practical implementation are still under discussion or at least heavily debated. In this perspective, we propose a procedure for how to include non-carbon dioxide aviation effects into political frameworks. The main goal must be to create incentives for climate change mitigation for the aviation industry. Uncertainties in atmospheric processes need to be appropriately incorporated to minimise risk, and pilot projects are required to test implementation capabilities. Analysing risk, employing consistent monitoring, and determining economic effects will provide scientific grounds for including non-carbon dioxide effects in the European Union Emission Trading System. (Figure presented.)