Towards Zero-Carbon Aviation (TOZCA)
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Leeds
Department Name: School of Earth and Environment
Abstract
Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.
Organisations
Publications
Dray L
(2022)
Cost and emissions pathways towards net-zero climate impacts in aviation
in Nature Climate Change
Spang R
(2024)
Radiative effect of thin cirrus clouds in the extratropical lowermost stratosphere and tropopause region
in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics
Forster P
(2024)
Indicators of Global Climate Change 2023: annual update of key indicators of the state of the climate system and human influence
in Earth System Science Data
Zhang W
(2025)
Impact of host climate model on contrail cirrus effective radiative forcing estimates
in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics
| Description | While work is still in progress, we have so far found that the host climate model meteorology is critical for accurately simulating aviation contrail cirrus and that single-moment microphysics schemes are likely inadequate to fully represent the contrail cirrus radiative effect. |
| Exploitation Route | By producing a new, independent contrail cirrus parameterisation, this project will contribute to the reduction in contrail cirrus radiative forcing uncertainty. This will inform scientists and policymakers on the most appropriate aviation climate impact mitigation options to be explored. |
| Sectors | Aerospace Defence and Marine Environment Transport |
| Description | BA non-CO2 climate impacts |
| Amount | £32,622 (GBP) |
| Organisation | British Airways PLC |
| Sector | Private |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 11/2023 |
| End | 04/2024 |
| Description | Contrail assessment of future aircraft and propulsion architectures |
| Amount | £829,983 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | NE/Z503824/1 |
| Organisation | Natural Environment Research Council |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 07/2024 |
| End | 08/2026 |
| Description | Contrails from SAF and H2 combustion; from lab experiments to global mitigation policy |
| Amount | £829,629 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | NE/Z503861/1 |
| Organisation | Natural Environment Research Council |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 04/2024 |
| End | 05/2026 |
| Description | Modelling Aviation Global climate Impacts from Contrails and Aerosols (MAGICA) |
| Amount | £829,533 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | NE/Z503836/1 |
| Organisation | Natural Environment Research Council |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 04/2024 |
| End | 05/2026 |
| Title | Contrail cirrus parameterisation for the UK Met Office climate model |
| Description | Parameterisation of aviation contrail cirrus within the UK Met Office climate model. |
| Type Of Material | Computer model/algorithm |
| Year Produced | 2025 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | The new parameterisation will allow simulations of contrail cirrus in the UK Met Office climate model. This will include contrails produced by current generation aircraft, but also future generation aircraft using alterative fuels. |
| Description | Jet Zero Non-CO2 Task & Finish Groups AG2 and AG4 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Participation in several regular meetings of the Jet Zero Non-CO2 Task & Finish groups AG2 and AG4 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024,2025 |