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Aircraft Contrails Factsheet (PDF 1.56mb)

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

This fact sheet describes the formation, occurrence, and effects of contrails, and was developed by experts at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Federal Aviation Administration, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Air Pollution, Greenhouse Gases and Climate Change: Global and Regional Perspectives (2009) (PDF 1.17mb)

Ramanathan, V and Feng, Y. Atmospheric Environment, Vol. 43 No. 1

Greenhouse gases (GHGs) warm the surface and the atmosphere with significant implications for rainfall, retreat of glaciers and sea ice, sea level, among other factors. What is less recognized than problems with GHGs, however, is a comparably major global problem dealing with air pollution. Until about ten years ago, air pollution was thought to be just an urban or a local problem. But new data have revealed that air pollution is transported across continents and ocean basins due to fast long-range transport, resulting in trans-oceanic and trans-continental plumes of atmospheric brown clouds (ABCs) containing sub-micron size particles, i.e., aerosols. (Abstract reprinted with permission of Elsevier).

Aviation and the Global Atmosphere (2001)

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

This IPCC report describes current knowledge regarding aircraft effects on the global atmosphere, based on more than 100 authors from 18 countries. Technical experts from the aviation industry, including airlines and airframe and engine manufacturers, worked with atmospheric scientists in creating the report.

Aviation Climate Change Research Initiative (ACCRI)

U.S. Department of Transportation - Federal Aviation Administration

This federal agency website provides links to several subject-specific white papers relating to the aviation climate change research initiative.

Climate Change 101: Understanding and Responding to Global Climate Change Reports (2009)

Pew Center on Global Climate Change; Pew Center on the States

These reports provide a reliable and understandable introduction to climate change. They cover climate science and impacts, technological solutions, business solutions, international action, recent action in the U.S. states, and action taken by local governments. The overview serves as a summary and introduction to the series.

Climate Change 2007 Mitigation

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

“Climate Change 2007 - Mitigation,” the third volume of the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), provides an in-depth analysis of the costs, policies and technologies that could be used to limit and/or prevent emissions of greenhouse gases, along with a range of activities to remove these gases from the atmosphere. It recognizes that a portfolio of adaptation and mitigation actions is required to reduce the risks of climate change. Hundreds of authors contributed to the preparation of this report. The Fourth Assessment Report of IPCC Working Group III, “Mitigation of Climate Change,” aims to answer essentially five questions relevant to policymakers worldwide: 1) What can we do to reduce or avoid climate change? 2) What are the costs of these actions and how do they relate to the costs of inaction? 3) How much time is available to realize the drastic reductions needed to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere? 4) What are the policy actions that can overcome the barriers to implementation? 5) How can climate mitigation policy be aligned with sustainable development policies? Chapter 5 of the report, Transport and its Infrastructure, provides an assessment of the emissions mitigation potential of various policies in the transport sector.

Climate Change: Expert Opinion on the Economics of Policy Options to Address Climate Change (2008) (PDF 1.9mb)

U.S. Government Accountability Office

This report presents the opinions of experts in the field of climate change economics on the actions the Congress might consider to address climate change and what is known about the potential benefits, costs, and related uncertainties of these actions, and the key strengths and limitations of policies or actions to address climate change.

Climate Change and Water (June 2008) (PDF 7.11 mb)

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

This is the sixth paper in the IPCC Technical Paper series and addresses the issue of freshwater. Sea level rise is dealt with only insofar as it can lead to impacts on freshwater in coastal areas and beyond. Climate, freshwater, biophysical and socio-economic systems are interconnected in complex ways. Hence, a change in any one of these can induce a change in any other. Freshwater-related issues are critical in determining key regional and sectoral vulnerabilities. Therefore, the relationship between climate change and freshwater resources is of primary concern to human society and also has implications for all living species.

Climate Change Risk Perception and Policy Preferences: The Role of Affect, Imagery, and Values (2006) (PDF 295kb)

Climate Change 77

This study summarizes the results of a national survey of the U.S. public's perceptions of climate change and shows that American risk perceptions and policy support are strongly influenced by experiential factors and influenced by psychological and socio-cultural factors.

Climate Impact of Contrails and Contrail Cirrus: SSWP IV (PDF 2.1mb)

U.S. Department of Transportation - Federal Aviation Administration

In this report, the authors propose a new approach to the study of contrails, suggesting that scientists introduce contrail cirrus as a new, purely anthropogenic ice cloud type and recommending studying the whole life cycle of contrails.

Contrails and Contrail-Cirrus Microphysics: SSWP III (2008) (PDF 2.1mb)

U.S. Department of Transportation - Federal Aviation Administration

This report reviews the current state of understanding of the science of contrails, identify key gaps and underlying uncertainties of their effect on local, regional, and global climate, and offer recommendations for research activities that will remove or decrease those uncertainties.

Contrails/Cirrus Optics and Radiation: SSWP V (2008) (PDF 1.3mb)

U.S. Department of Transportation - Federal Aviation Administration

This subject-specific white paper presents a literature survey of past and current developments regarding the impacts of contrails and contrail cirrus on the radiation field of the Earth's atmosphere and climate and recommends a number of long- and short-term actions that are required to comprehend and quantify the subject.

Eno Brief (August 2008) (PDF 1.57mb)

Eno Transportation Foundation

This monthly electronic publication discusses the policy issues for climate change and transportation for 2009 and briefs about current strategies taking place around the globe to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions from anthropogenic sources. Mentioned efforts include those from the European governments, California, and Seattle.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions from the U.S. Transportation Sector 1990-2003 (PDF 1.2mb)

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

This report was developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Office of Transportation and Air Quality (OTAQ) to help transportation agencies, the transportation industry, researchers, and the public better understand the connection between transportation and GHG emissions in the United States.

Greening Fleets: A Roadmap to Lower Costs and Cleaner Corporate Fleets (PDF 287kb)

Environmental Defense Fund

This report highlights a partnership to develop best practices for reducing GHG emissions from corporate fleets while lowering costs. The reports finds several companies using the vehicle fleet manager and leasing company PHH Arval Inc.'s GreenFleet program achieved emission reductions averaging 14 percent while reducing operating costs by 4 percent.

The Impact of Climate Change and Weather on Transport: An Overview of Empirical Findings (2009)

Koetse, Mark J; Rietveld, Piet. Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, Vol. 14 No. 3.

Improving Rail's Energy Efficiency (2008) (PDF 728kb)

Rail Safety and Standards Board

This study documented how the rail industry consumed diesel and electrical traction energy to examine the opportunities and barriers for making savings. This study also identified metrics and benchmarks for GB passenger train energy performance, and examined their CO₂ emissions with respect to other competing transport modes.

Integrating U.S. Climate, Energy and Transportation Policies: RAND Workshops Address Challenges and Potential Solutions (2009)

Liisa Ecola, Scott Hassell, Michael Toman, Martin Wachs. RAND Corporation

In an effort to share different perspectives on potential climate policy solutions, RAND convened three workshops - one each on climate change policy, energy, and transportation - in which stakeholders addressed climate policy ideas and challenges.

Metrics for Climate Impacts: SSWP VII (PDF 1mb)

U.S. Department of Transportation - Federal Aviation Administration

As the aviation sector continues to grow, this report acknowledges the impact of aircraft emissions and recommends several practical application of current knowledge and capability to combat those emissions.

Mitigation Potentials and Costs: Energy, Buildings, Transport and Industry Presentation (2007) (PDF 88kb)

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

This presentation by Professor Ralph E H Sims presents the key mitigation technologies and practices that are currently commercially available and those that are projected to be commercialized by 2030. The presentation also estimates the potential energy savings given those mitigation strategies as well as future changes in energy sources.

Policy Options for Reducing Oil Consumption and Greenhouse Gas Emissions from the U.S. Transportation Sector (2007) (PDF 255kb)

John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University

This discussion paper contributes to the current policy debate about how to effectively limit or reduce oil consumption and greenhouse-gas emissions from the U.S. transportation sector by explaining what is wrong with the status quo and why new policies are needed. It then discusses the pros and cons of individual policy options.

Primer on Transportation and Climate Change (2008)

American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials

This primer is intended to provide AASHTO members with an introduction to the issue of climate change and its implications for transportation policy in the United States. This primer is based on the most recent research in the field. Its purpose is to outline for AASHTO members the current thinking of governmental agencies, researchers, and advocacy groups on the issue of climate change and transportation.

Public Transportation's Role in Addressing Global Climate Change (March 2009) (PDF 174kb)

TCRP Research Results Digest No. 89 , Transportation Research Board

This TCRP digest summarizes the mission performed May 9-23, 2008, under TCRP Project J-03, "International Transit Studies Program." It includes transportation information on the organizations and facilities visited. It was prepared by the Eno Transportation Foundation and is based on reports filed by the mission participants.

Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change (2006)

Office of Climate Change, United Kingdom

This review provides an assessment of the nature of the economic challenges of climate change, explores the economics of stabilizing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, and considers the complex policy challenges involved in managing the transition to a low-carbon economy.

Transport and Environment: Review of CO₂ Abatement Policies for the Transport Sector (2006) (PDF 62kb)

European Conference of Ministers of Transport

This report reviews the progress that the European Conference of Ministers of Transport (ECMT) and Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development countries have made in reducing transport sector CO₂ emissions and provides recommendations for the focus of future policies.

Transportation and Climate Change Newsletter

U.S. Department of Transportation - Federal Highway Administration

This internet newsletter announces current transportation and climate change headlines from around the country. The website also provides reminders of upcoming meetings and public comment periods.

Transportation Energy Security and Climate Change Mitigation Act of 2007 (2008) (PDF 1.5mb)

U.S. House of Representatives

The U.S. House of Representatives proposed amendments to bill H.R. 2701 that would address transportation issues impacting climate change, including establishing a Center for Climate Change and Environment within the Department of Transportation and improving funds for all types of public transportation.

TRB 88th Annual Meeting Compendium of Papers DVD (2009)

Transportation Research Board

This DVD contains the unedited papers from the Transportation Research Board (TRB) Annual Meeting which took place in Washington, D.C., on January 11-15, 2009. It includes a section on energy and climate change.

U.S. Climate Change Science Program

This site provides a library of reports related to the science of climate change. Hosted by the Climate Change Science Program (CCSP), the site offers resources related to federal research on climate and global change, as sponsored by thirteen federal agenciesand overseen by the Office of Science and Technology Policy, the Council on Environmental Quality, the National Economic Council and the Office of Management and Budget.

UT/LS Chemistry and Transport: SSWP I (2008)

U.S. Department of Transportation - Federal Aviation Administration

This subject specific white paper summarizes the ways in which aircraft emissions impact atmospheric chemistry, identifies important results in key areas since the last major aircraft impacts assessment in 1999 and prioritizes future scientific studies that can reduce the most important uncertainties that remain and that address new problems that have arisen.

UT/LS Chemistry and Transport: SSWP II (2008) (PDF 863kb)

U.S. Department of Transportation - Federal Aviation Administration

This paper examines the topic of ozone generation and the associated direct radiative forcing and indirect forcing via its impact on methane, and assess the uncertainty of dynamical influences on the impacts of aircraft emissions.

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