Flying is one of the most transformative innovations of the modern era. However, it is also one of humanity’s most carbon emission-intensive activities. Aviation is viewed as a “hard-to-abate” sector due to its high carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions and the difficulty of replacing the high-energy-density liquid fuels that jet engines require. Aviation also faces challenges from its non-CO₂ impacts, including warming from contrails and pollutant emissions. Rapid demand growth and the substantial historical investment in long-lived fossil fuel aviation equipment and infrastructure add to the decarbonization challenge.

This paper, Addressing Aviation’s Climate Impacts 101, outlines the challenges, key drivers, and primary mitigation strategies to curb aviation’s climate impacts. It then dives deeper into the two most promising near-term strategies: sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) and contrail mitigation, with a focus on progress and opportunities for the Northwest.

This resource was created to accompany the Decarbonization Forum CETI held in January 2026, Addressing Aviation’s Climate Impacts. You can learn more about the forum and watch the recording here.