In this episode, we speak with Matteo Mirolo, Director of Strategy & External Relations at Contrails.org, a science-led nonprofit initiative aimed at transforming contrail research into practical climate action. 

Mirolo discusses:

1. The substantial climate impact of contrails, which are responsible for 1-2% of human-caused global warming and have roughly the same warming effect as all aviation CO2 emissions since the jet age.
2. The concentrated nature of the problem, with just 5% of flights causing about 80% of aviation’s contrail warming effect, primarily over Europe, North America, and the North Atlantic.
3. Contrails.org’s three-pillar approach focusing on science (improving understanding of contrail impacts), technology (developing open-source tools and protocols), and adoption (raising awareness and fostering incentives).
4. The cost-effectiveness of contrail mitigation compared to other decarbonisation options, with studies suggesting only 0.11% extra fuel burn across airline fleets.
5. The vision for seamless integration into airline operations, where contrail avoidance becomes as routine as avoiding turbulence or adverse weather.

Contrails.org seeks to be an open, collaborative space, with Mirolo likening it to “a tent under which people can put their furniture.” Its goal is to address the contrail issue through collective effort, recognising that effective management requires coordination across the aviation sector.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Alejandra Martín Frías, Head of Sustainability Research at FLIGHTKEYS, who shared insights into the company’s research on contrail avoidance. Check it out here. 

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to [email protected]. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Contrails.org

How airplane contrails are helping make the planet warmer - Yale e360 

Feasibility of contrail avoidance in a commercial flight planning system: an operational analysis - IOPscience 

Understanding contrail management: opportunities, challenges, and insights - RMI