COVID-19 lockdown lead to largest drop in Co2 emissions in modern history: Study

A new study titled as ‘Near-real-time monitoring of global CO2 emissions reveals effects of COVID-19 pandemic’ published in journal Nature reveals that drop in carbon dioxide emissions during lockdown imposed due to coronavirus outbreak is largest in modern history. As per study, re was a drop of 8.8 per cent in first half of 2020 compared to same period in 2019. However, by July 1, impact on emissions significantly reduced as lockdown restrictions were eased in many parts of globe, including China and several European countries. 

Decrease in Co2 emissions 

Initial reports based on limited samples of power plants and indirect satellite observations of atmospheric pollutants, re was a dramatic drop in global emissions. International Energy ncy (IEA) recorded a −5% decline in global CO2 emissions in January–April 2020 compared to same period in 2019. study did an in depth analysis of ‘ estimates of daily, sector-specific, country-level CO2 emissions from January 1st, 2019 to June 30th, 2020’. analysis provided a daily, weekly, and seasonal information of CO2 emissions before and after pandemic struck globe. study gives a perfect example as it says, “ emissions effects of major holidays such as Christmas in U.S. and Europe, Spring Festival in China, and Holi Festival in India are evident”. 

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(Effects of COVID-19 on global CO2 emissions. Im Credits: Nature.com)

(Effects of COVID-19 on global CO2 emissions. Im Credits: Nature.com)

(Effects of COVID-19 on global CO2 emissions. Im Credits: Nature.com)

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As a part of study, carbon dioxide emissions were taken from “hourly datasets of electricity power production in 31 countries, daily vehicle traffic in 416 cities worldwide, daily global passenger flights and distance flown, industry output in 62 countries and fuel consumption data combined with wear information for residential and commercial building emissions in 206 countries. It was concluded that emissions from transport decreased by 40 per cent in first half of 2020. Also, energy manufacturing and business emissions also recorded a drop by 22 and 17 per cent respectively.

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(Im Credits: Unsplash)