Principal Investigator R Hansman
Aviation is responsible for approximately 2% of anthropogenic global greenhouse gas emissions. However, as global demand for air travel grows over time and other sources of greenhouse gases become cleaner, the relative contribution of aviation to the impacts of climate change is expected to rise. In response to this environmental challenge, the International Civil Aviation Organization's Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection (ICAO CAEP) initiated an effort to set certified fuel efficiency limits for new and in-production jet aircraft. Beginning in 2009, ICAT worked with the FAA and EPA to develop certification metrics, assess aircraft design response and system performance in the presence of a regulation, and evaluate the costs and benefits of varying regulation levels. ICAT’s persistent contributions to the international standard setting process helped lead to the February 2016 signing of the world’s first international commercial aircraft fuel efficiency standard in Montréal, Canada.