May 20, 2020 23:00:00

Global carbon dioxide emissions decreased by 17% compared to the previous year due to the influence of the new coronavirus, and it was found that it fell to almost the same level as in 2006

In order to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus infectious disease (COVID-19), each country is taking measures such as city blockade and suspension of unnecessary economic activities. Although it is reported that air pollution has been drastically reduced in

China , Italy , India, etc. due to such movement, 'COVID-19 pandemic reduced carbon dioxide emissions in April 2020 by 17% compared to the previous year' And it fell to the same level as in 2006, ”said a British research team.

Temporary reduction in daily global CO 2 emissions during the COVID-19 forced confinement | Nature Climate Change
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41558-020-0797-x

COVID-19 crisis causes 17% drop in global carbon emissions-News-UEA
https://www.uea.ac.uk/about/-/covid-19-crisis-causes-17-drop-in-global-carbon-emissions

The COVID-19 pandemic cut carbon emissions down to 2006 levels-The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/2020/5/19/21262259/greenhouse-gas-emissions-carbon-drop-climate-change-coronavirus

The team analyzed 69 countries, which account for 97% of the world's carbon footprint, on how governments can control the spread of COVID-19. At the time of peak infection control policies in each country, 89% of the countries surveyed had some restrictions on their activities. Next, the research team analyzed how each economic sector was affected by COVID-19, and estimated how much carbon dioxide emission decreased from January to April 2020.

As a result of the analysis, it was found that global carbon dioxide emissions as of early April 2020 had decreased by 17% compared to the 2019 average value. Of these, the reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from land transportation of vehicles accounts for 43% of the worldwide reduction, and the carbon dioxide emissions from manufacturing and power generation also account for 43% of the reduction. It was The aviation industry is the economic sector most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and although the aviation industry's carbon dioxide emissions decreased by 60% compared to 2019, it accounts for the total reduction in emissions. Was about 10%.

Carbon dioxide emissions from January to April 2020 have decreased by 1,048 million tons compared to the same period in 2019, of which 242 million tons in China, 207 million tons in the United States, Europe accounted for 123 million tons, India 99.8 million tons, and England 18 million tons. This significant reduction in carbon dioxide emissions has resulted in global carbon dioxide emissions almost the same as in 2006, the research team says.

The reduction in CO2 emissions due to the COVID-19 pandemic is dramatic, but this is only due to urban blockades and the suspension of industrial activities as measures against COVID-19, and may only be temporary. Is pointed out to be high.

If economic activity returns by mid-June 2020 and carbon dioxide emissions return to pre-COVID-19 pre-pandemic levels, carbon dioxide emissions in 2020 will decrease by 4% compared to 2019 Stay in If some restrictions continue until the end of 2020, carbon dioxide emissions in 2020 will decrease by 7%. On the other hand, if the government did not address climate change after the pandemic, the carbon dioxide emissions after the pandemic could be higher than before.

'Restrictions on people have led to dramatic changes in energy use and carbon dioxide emissions,' said

Corinne Le Quéré , lead author of the paper and a researcher on climate change at the University of East Anglia , England. These extreme declines may be temporary, as they do not reflect structural changes in the economy, transportation and energy systems. ”

On the other hand, when leaders of each country consider the impact on climate change and make some changes when planning COVID-19 post-pandemic economic activities, CO2 emissions over the coming decades will be reduced. It may have an impact. “For example, instead of building roads in cities and suburbs, implementing policies that support walking and cycling is better in terms of cost, people's well-being, and air quality, and improves social distance. It also helps to keep it, ”says Professor Le Quéré.

'The reduction in carbon dioxide emissions is substantial, but presents the challenge of achieving the Paris Agreement , the global framework for climate change,' said Rob Jackson, Stanford University co-author. There is a need for systematic change with green energy and electric vehicles rather than forced temporary action. '