Coronavirus: Emissions fall by fifth but not for long

Global carbon dioxide emissions fell by almost a fifth during the peak of the coronavirus lockdown last month.

China’s emissions were rising again by April 7, the day of the biggest global decline. Picture: AP

Global carbon dioxide emissions fell by almost a fifth during the peak of the coronavirus lockdown last month.

Scientists said the decline would be the fastest since World War II, although it would be short-lived because economies were reopening. The forecast 4-7 per cent reduction was comparable to what was needed every year to meet the targets of the Paris Agreement, they added.

According to the first peer-reviewe­d analysis of the impact of the coronavirus on emissions, the global daily total fell by 17 per cent, or 17 million tonnes of CO2, on April 7. That was down to a level last observed in 2006.

Reduced emissions from land transport accounted for 43 per cent of the decrease, while a fall in power generation accounted for 19 per cent, the shutdown of industry 25 per cent, and the impact on aviation 10 per cent, the study in Nature Climate Change found.

The average decline per country during the peak of confinement was 26 per cent. China’s emissions were rising again by April 7, the day of the biggest global decline.

Corinne Le Quere, lead author of the study, said: “The decrease in emissions is unlikely to last becaus­e it is forced and not supported by fundamental changes.”

However, a permanent shift to lower emissions could result if green measures were adopted to stimulate economic recovery from the pandemic. “Supporting walking and cycling, and the uptake of electric bikes, is far cheaper and better for wellbeing and air quality than building roads — and it preserve­s social distancing,” Professor­ Le Quere said.

The Times