OpenAirClim - A framework for the computation of air traffic climate impact based on response modeling

Kurzfassung

OpenAirClim is a currently developed software framework for the simplified evaluation of the climate impact of air traffic emissions. The model represents the major responses of the atmosphere to emissions in terms of composition and climate change. Instead of applying time-consuming climate-chemistry models, a response model is developed and applied which reproduces the response of a climate-chemistry model without actually calculating ab initio all the physical and chemical effects. The responses are nonlinear relations between localized emissions and Radiative Forcing and further climate indicators. Compared to the previous AirClim framework on which OpenAirClim builds upon, several new features are planned to be introduced. OpenAirClim is able to read in multiple air traffic emission inventories from different years. Together with the space domain, 4D capability is obtained. Furthermore, nonlinear and background dependent responses and are taken into account. With respect to the climate impact of contrails, variable combinations of aircraft and fuel dependent parameters are considered. OpenAirClim will be published as an Open Source software framework.