United States Government Publishing Office publisher pbl distributor dst United States Government Accountability Office Resources, Community, and Economic Development Division author aut Government Organization text government publication eng GAOREPORTS Legislative Agency Publications gao legislative 2010-08-12 U.S. Government Printing Office 2000-02-18 monographic deposited born digital 54 p. GA 1.13:RCED-00-57 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-RCED-00-57 P0b002ee18037a58a f:rc00057 DGPO 2010-08-12 2011-03-24 GAOREPORTS-RCED-00-57 machine generated eng fdlp REPORT GAOREPORTS-RCED-00-57 RCED-00-57 Aviation Aircraft Environmental policies Hazardous substances Air pollution control Pollution monitoring Atmospheric research Climate statistics Thermal pollution Aviation fuels Kyoto Protocol NASA Ultra-Efficient Engine Technology Program NASA Energy Efficient Engine Program NASA Experimental Clean Combustor Program FAA Air Traffic Control System Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer Letter Report RCED Aviation emissions are a potentially significant and growing percentage of greenhouse gases and other emissions that are thought to contribute to global warming. Aircraft emissions are potentially significant for several reasons. First, jet aircraft are the main source of human emissions deposited directly into the upper atmosphere, where they may have a greater warming effect than if they were released at the earth's surface. Second, carbon dioxide--the primary aircraft emission--is relatively well understood and is the main focus of international concern. For example, it survives in the atmosphere for nearly 100 years and contributes to global warming, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The carbon dioxide emissions from worldwide aviation roughly equal those of some industrialized countries. Third, carbon dioxide emissions, combined with other gases and particles emitted by jet aircraft, could have two to four times as great an effect on the atmosphere as carbon dioxide alone. Fourth, the Intergovernmental Panel recently concluded that the rise in aviation emissions due to growing demand for air travel would not be fully offset by reductions in emissions achieved solely through technological improvements. Experts GAO interviewed, as well as the report of the Intergovernmental Panel, have cited several options for better understanding and mitigating the impact of aviation as the industry grows. These options include (1) continuing research to improve the scientific understanding of aviation's effects on the global atmosphere as a basis for guiding the development of aircraft and engine technology to reduce them, (2) promoting more efficient air traffic operations through the introduction of new technologies and procedures, and (3) expanding the use of regulatory and economic measures to encourage reductions in emissions. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-RCED-00-57/html/GAOREPORTS-RCED-00-57.htm https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-RCED-00-57/pdf/GAOREPORTS-RCED-00-57.pdf GAO/RCED-00-57 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-RCED-00-57 Letter Report GAO/RCED-00-57; Aviation and the Environment: Aviation's Effects on the; Aviation Aircraft Environmental policies Hazardous substances Air pollution control Pollution monitoring Atmospheric research Climate statistics Thermal pollution Aviation fuels Kyoto Protocol NASA Ultra-Efficient Engine Technology Program NASA Energy Efficient Engine Program NASA Experimental Clean Combustor Program FAA Air Traffic Control System Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer