Research on aircraft contrails and their environmental and health impacts

Details of the request

Under the Official Information Act 1982, I am requesting information regarding the Ministry for the Environment’s (MfE) research and studies related to persistent aircraft contrails and their environmental and health impacts. Specifically, I am interested in the following:

1. Research on Persistent Contrails
   1. Has the MfE conducted any studies or gathered data on the formation and persistence of aircraft contrails?
   2. If so, can you provide details on any findings regarding how persistent contrails might impact weather patterns, cloud formation, or other environmental factors?
2. Health Impact Studies
   1. Has the MfE conducted or been involved in any studies on the health effects of persistent contrails and their potential impact on public health, such as respiratory diseases, long-term health conditions, or any other effects related to exposure to aerosols or chemicals from contrails?
   2. If the MfE has not conducted any research on the health impacts of persistent contrails, could you explain why this is the case, and if there are any plans to investigate this in the future
3. Collaboration with Other Agencies
   1. Has the MfE collaborated with other agencies, such as NIWA, MetService, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), or any military or private contractors, regarding the study of persistent contrails and their environmental or health impacts?
   2. If so, can you provide details of such collaborations and the nature of the research, data sharing, or monitoring activities involved?
4. Transparency and Access to Data
   1. If the MfE holds any studies or data related to persistent contrails, aerosol emissions, or health impacts, I would appreciate it if you could provide access to these records.
   2. If the MfE has not conducted research on the above topics, could you provide a justification for why this has not been addressed?
5. Response & Next Steps

Under the Official Information Act 1982, a response is required within 20 working days. If an extension is necessary, please provide a clear justification.

If the MfE refuses or avoids answering these questions, I reserve the right to escalate this request to the Ombudsman for review.

OIA@mfe.govt.nz