Researchers say the warming effects of clouds they create will triple by 2050, the year Britain is committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions. The target includes CO 2 from domestic but not international flights and does not include aircraft condensation trails, also known as contrails. The ribbons of white cloud are created when ice crystals form at high altitudes around sooty particles from burnt fuel. Under certain conditions they become wider patches of cloud cover, known as contrail cirrus. These can linger up to 17 hours and have a net warming effect.

Source: The Times June 27, 2019 23:03 UTC